The 2025 Club World Cup, a groundbreaking 32-team intercontinental tournament, is generating significant controversy. For the first time, FIFA has created a tournament mirroring the format of the FIFA World Cup, with qualification based on continental trophies and rankings. However, the inclusion of Inter Miami, granted a place by FIFA, has sparked outrage.

FIFA justified Inter Miami’s participation by citing their regular season MLS title win, the Supporter’s Shield, a notable achievement but not a traditional championship in the eyes of many. This decision has angered other MLS teams still vying for the championship title, as well as teams from Concacaf, the region encompassing North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Costa Rican club, Liga Deportiva Alajuelense (LDA), has formally filed a complaint with FIFA, challenging Inter Miami’s inclusion. LDA argues they deserve the place by virtue of topping the Concacaf rankings. Their statement released on November 18th, 2024, highlights the perceived injustice.

In their official statement, LDA expressed confidence that FIFA will uphold the tournament’s regulations. They emphasized a commitment to transparency and fair play, values they believe FIFA promotes. LDA has engaged the esteemed Spanish law firm, Sportia Law, renowned for its expertise in sports law and experience with FIFA cases, to represent them.

LDA’s official statement and legal representation

LDA’s complaint focuses on two main points:

  1. Conflict of Interest: LDA argues that Pachuca and León, both qualified and owned by Grupo Pachuca, violate the spirit of the competition’s regulations by representing the same parent company.
  2. Arbitrary Selection of Inter Miami: LDA questions the arbitrary selection of Inter Miami, implying a lack of transparency and fairness in the selection process given their ranking.

Marco Vásquez, LDA spokesperson, speaks out

LDA’s spokesperson, Marco Vásquez, stated: “Our institution feels that FIFA should uphold the regulations they established. We’re asking for a review of the decisions made regarding the teams selected for the Club World Cup.”

He continued: “Our claim rests on the criteria used to choose the participating clubs; Why was Inter Miami, Lionel Messi’s team, selected when other institutions had a stronger claim based on the established criteria?” Vásquez concluded by urging FIFA to review the selection process, emphasizing that the governing body set the regulations and should adhere to them.

The LDA’s complaint shines a light on the potential inconsistencies and lack of clarity in FIFA’s qualification process. The outcome will likely set a precedent for future tournaments and highlight the balance between sporting merit and other considerations. This controversy threatens to overshadow the excitement surrounding the innovative 32-team format of the tournament.