Sat Jun 14 01:00:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Inter Miami Faces Club World Cup with Measured Expectations**

**FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) —** Inter Miami, propelled into the FIFA Club World Cup as a host nation representative, faces a challenging debut, with veteran Sergio Busquets offering a candid assessment of the team’s chances.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s opening match against Al Ahly of Egypt, Busquets, a former Barcelona teammate of Lionel Messi, expressed concerns about the team’s readiness to compete at the highest level. “It is clear that we are not at the level to compete in the Club World Cup, but we will try to compete in the group, go match by match, fight and hopefully be in the next phase,” he admitted.

Inter Miami’s participation in the expanded 32-team tournament, which begins Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, has been somewhat controversial, stemming from a FIFA decision to grant them a spot based on regular season points, despite their subsequent struggles in the MLS playoffs and CONCACAF Champions Cup.

The team’s hopes hinge largely on the performance of its aging core: Messi, Busquets, Luis Suárez, and Jordi Alba. Alba will miss Saturday’s game due to injury. Manager Javier Mascherano is relying on Messi’s brilliance.

While acknowledging the challenge, Messi struck a more optimistic tone, stating in a FIFA video, “I am very excited to be able to compete with the best and try to do a good job.” Suarez added, “We hope that surprise team is us.”

Inter Miami will need to secure a win against Al Ahly, considered the weakest team in their group, which also includes Brazilian side Palmeiras and FC Porto. The Club World Cup success is seen as important for the growth of football in North America, with the region also hosting the World Cup next year.

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