Ticket Trouble And Zero Goals At The FIFA 2025 Club World Cup Opener
MIAMI, USA JUNE 15: Lionel Messi of Inter Miami gestures during the FIFA Club World Cup opening ... More match between Al Ahly SC and Inter Miami CF at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, United States on June 15, 2025 (Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The curtain-raiser for the FIFA 2025 Club World Cup finished 0-0 between Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and Al Ahly of Egypt on Saturday night. It certainly isn't the result or level of excitement that FIFA was looking for after a week dominated by talk of low ticket sales.
Lionel Messi had a solid game for Inter Miami on Saturday evening and was very nearly the difference maker. He crashed the woodwork with his wand of a left foot in what would have been a wonderful goal, but this time he couldn't quite ripple the net.
Messi tried to conduct the attack and carry the team, also coming very close from a free-kick, and even sprinting the length of the pitch to track back towards the end of the game. Something you certainly don't usually see. Messi was taking responsibility that's for sure, but there was no historic goal for the Argentinian or the onlooking FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JUNE 14: FIFA President Gianni Infantino looks on next to Ronaldo ahead of ... More the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group A match between Al Ahly SC and Internacional CF Miami at Hard Rock Stadium on June 14, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
The FIFA 2025 Club World has been scrutinised by fans for a number of reasons. One of those is the fact that Inter Miami were invited to participate as a host representative despite the fact that the team didn't win the MLS last season and hasn't won any continental prize.
Gianni Infantino took to the pitch last season to extend the invitation to Inter Miami players and fans when they won the supporters shield, but before they bowed out to Atlanta F.C in the MLS play-offs. The move was crafted by FIFA to include the great Lionel Messi in their new-look Club World Cup whether he was a domestic champion in the U.S.A or not.
Therefore Gianni Infantino, more than anybody, would have been hoping for some Messi magic on the opening night. Another controversy behind this tournament was ticket pricing. Initially the majority of tickets didn't sell, and the majority were priced over at over $200. It was reported just days ago that only 20,000 tickets had been sold for the opening game at the 65,000 capacity Hard Rock Stadium.
This week ticket prices were slashed by FIFA. They were almost given away. Certain packages meant students could by a handful of tickets for a total price of $20 and in the end the opening game was watched by 60,000 spectators. Suggesting the vast majority only wanted to buy tickets after monumental price cuts.
It will be intriguing to see how ticket sales and attendances perform during the rest of the group stage but Infantino will be biting his nails about how this tournament is received globally. The FIFA President who has his name twice inscribed on the new FIFA 2025 Club World Cup trophy needs this competition to be a success.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino smiles after unlocking the trophy during the unveiling the highly ... More designed trophy as FIFA held its media preview for the Club World Cup at the FIFA Miami headquarters in Coral Gables, Florida, on Tuesday, May 10, 2025. (Carl Juste/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
The tournament, surely, can only get better. The American and Egyptian sides 0-0 draw was drab and uninspiring but plenty of talent is yet to take the field. It says a lot that the two goalkeepers were the key players in game 1. Óscar Ustari of Inter Miami stopped a penalty and made a total of 8 saves, whilst his opposite number Mohamed El-Shenawy also made a big impact with 5 saves for Al Ahly.
The talents of Porto and Palmeiras await in Group A, and the likes of Boca Juniors and Bayern Munich do battle on Monday, with both the European champions PSG and South American champions Botafogo of Brazil in action over the coming days.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JUNE 14: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF is challenged by Hamdy Fathy #8 ... More and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane #5 of Al Ahly FC during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group A match between Al Ahly FC and Internacional CF Miami at Hard Rock Stadium on June 14, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by)
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