Inter Miami Faces Brutal Championship Journey as 2025 Club World Cup Final Path Unveiled
Inter Miami CF may have received their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup berth amid controversy, but they've made the most of their chance.
The Florida-based club remained undefeated throughout the group phase to secure their round of 16 spot, achieving important stalemates against Al Ahly and Palmeiras while claiming a crucial win over Porto thanks to Lionel Messi's brilliance.
While Inter Miami found themselves in one of the tournament's less challenging groups, their luck won't continue in the elimination rounds. They've received a brutal round of 16 matchup that may spell the end of their Club World Cup journey.
If they manage to advance, reaching the final would be an extraordinary feat requiring them to defeat multiple powerhouses along the way.
Inter Miami's Last 16 Opponents
Inter Miami face a nightmare scenario in the round of 16, with European titleholders Paris Saint-Germain awaiting them. The Parisian club isn't unbeatable—as Botafogo demonstrated earlier in the competition—but they should theoretically handle their knockout encounter with the Herons with relative ease.
Messi will confront his previous club hoping to produce more of his signature brilliance, though even that may not suffice for the MLS team, who will require extraordinary circumstances to advance to the quarterfinals.
Inter Miami's Potential Quarterfinal Opponents
If Inter Miami accomplishes the unlikely feat of defeating PSG, they'll encounter an equally formidable challenge in the quarterfinals. They would meet the victor of the round of 16 clash between German champions Bayern Munich and Brazilian side Flamengo.
Bayern have already demolished Auckland City with ten goals and defeated Boca Juniors, though they revealed some weaknesses in their loss to Benfica in their final group match. They concluded Group C in second place.
Flamengo may regret topping Group D, as second place would have meant facing Benfica instead of Bayern. Their excellence proved costly, and their 3-1 triumph over Chelsea demonstrates that the Germans cannot take them lightly in the round of 16.
Inter Miami's Potential Semifinal Opponents
Inter Miami are aware of two potential semifinal opponents, with Borussia Dortmund being one possibility. The German side meets Mexican powerhouse Monterrey in the round of 16 and should be favored in that encounter.
The Herons could also face either the Group H winner or Group G runner-up in the semifinals. The latter would be Juventus, while the former is Real Madrid.
Inter Miami's Potential Final Opponents
In the highly unlikely event that Inter Miami reaches the championship match, they could meet any team from the opposite side of the bracket. This includes group stage rival Palmeiras, who will battle fellow Brazilians Botafogo in the round of 16.
Chelsea represents one of the European clubs pursuing a final berth and will meet Benfica in the round of 16. Both teams could potentially oppose the Herons on July 13 at MetLife Stadium.
Recent UEFA Champions League finalists Inter are also positioned in the other half of the draw, with Fluminense as their round of 16 opponent. The advancing club will then face either the Group G winner or Group H runner-up in the quarterfinals.