The newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup opens on Saturday with Inter Miami facing Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the tournament’s first match at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. Both sides are aiming for a positive start in Group A, which also features FC Porto and Palmeiras.
Experience meets ambition
Inter Miami will be making their debut in the Club World Cup, while Al Ahly bring with them a wealth of experience at this level.
The Cairo-based club are appearing in the competition for the tenth time, having secured third place on four occasions.
They enter this edition as three-time CAF Champions League winners in the last five years, including their record 12th continental title in 2024.
By contrast, Inter Miami, founded just over seven years ago, will rely on recent domestic success and a star-studded squad featuring Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez.
The Herons claimed the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield and were semi-finalists in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Goals expected in Florida
Both teams boast impressive attacking records. Al Ahly were the top-scoring team in the Egyptian Premier League last season, while Inter Miami’s attacking duo of Messi and Suárez remain prolific in the MLS.
Messi alone has registered 10 goals and six assists in 13 league games this season.
However, Al Ahly are also known for their defensive solidity, conceding less than a goal per game in their domestic campaign—posing a serious challenge to Inter’s free-scoring front line.
Physical contest likely
Discipline may play a part in the outcome. Inter Miami have accumulated three red cards this season, the most in the MLS, while Al Ahly’s recent opponents have twice seen players sent off.
Saturday’s opening match promises intensity, skill, and a potential early statement in the race for global club supremacy.
