How Inter Miami, Los Angeles FC, and Seattle Sounders qualified for Club World Cup

The newest thing in global soccer is the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, but the qualification process is not entirely clear.

Three American clubs are in the tournament: Inter Miami, Los Angeles FC, and Seattle Sounders FC. But none of the three are the reigning MLS Cup champion, an honor claimed by the LA Galaxy late last year.

Here, we'll take you through how all three United States-based teams made it to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Inter Miami

Inter Miami, led by arguably the greatest player of all time in Lionel Messi, earned qualification through the host nation slot, according to FIFA.

The global soccer governing body's website also points out that Miami won the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield as a result of having the league's best regular-season record, which gives some credence to the club's inclusion from a competitive standpoint.

But, many fans and pundits have pointed out that the host nation slot could have gone to any American team, and that Miami's inclusion makes it seem like FIFA just wanted to get Messi into the inaugural edition of this new version of the tournament.

Los Angeles FC

LAFC had to play in a one-game play-in against Mexican team Club America after FIFA ruled that the original recipient of their spot, Club Leon, could not participate in the Club World Cup due to a violation of multi-club ownership rules.

The owners of Leon also own Pachuca, which is in the Club World Cup.

LAFC earned a spot in the play-in because it won the 2023 CONCACAF Champions Cup, and America got its spot because it won the 2024 version of that tournament.

Seattle Sounders FC

The Seattle Sounders had the most straightforward path to Club World Cup qualification, as FIFA granted them an automatic spot as a result of winning the 2022 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Seattle beat Mexican team Pumas UNAM 5-2 on aggregate in the final. The teams tied 2-2 in the first leg in Mexico City before an emphatic 3-0 Sounders win in Seattle.