Inter Miami’s journey at the FIFA Club World Cup is one of the craziest sports talking points, not just for its solid play on the pitch, but also for the financial achievement the club has already earned.
With one win and two draws from the group stage, the MLS side has secured over \$21 million in prize money, and they’re not done yet.
Group Stage Success and Financial Boost
Lionel Messi and his teammates finished second in their group after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Palmeiras on Monday. That result, combined with an earlier win over Porto and a draw against Al Ahly, pushed Miami through to the Round of 16. In contrast, fellow MLS sides LAFC and Seattle Sounders failed to advance, exiting the tournament early.
For participating in the competition, each MLS team was guaranteed \$9.55 million. But Miami added significant bonuses with their group stage performances:
$1 million for the draw with Al Ahly
$2 million for defeating Porto
$1 million for the draw with Palmeiras
Those results brought their total to \$13.55 million before even stepping into the knockout rounds. If they qualify for the Round of 16, where they will be facing the French giants PSG, then Inter Miami will secure another $7.5 million. That will bring their current total to an eye-catching $21.05 million. This will be a history made for the MSL club and league in general.
For The Glory and The Revenue
For Inter Miami, this tournament represents more than lifting the trophy. The Club World Cup gives an opportunity for clubs outside of Europe a uncommon opportunity to earn high-level exposure and financial rewards.
While top clubs from Europe, like Real Madrid, PSG, and Manchester City, are already used to playing for massive amounts, clubs from MLS, Liga MX, and South America don’t usually compete on such a global stage.
Still, Inter Miami is rewriting that narrative. As the only remaining MLS representative, they’ve shown the ability to compete at the highest level. And the incentives only grow from here.
If the Herons can find a way past PSG, they’ll earn an additional \$13.125 million. That would push their total Club World Cup earnings north of \$34 million. With a \$1 billion prize pool up for grabs, and the winner set to take home as much as \$125 million, the financial stakes mirror those of top domestic competitions like the Premier League.
Debate Over Winnings in MLS Structure
Despite the huge payday, how the money is handled remains a point of contention. Unlike other football leagues, the MLS operates under a single-entity model, where the league itself owns all the teams in their league. That means the Club World Cup prize money won’t go directly to individual teams; it goes to the league office, which is a plus for the league.
This has sparked debate among players and clubs about how the earnings should be shared. Ahead of the tournament, Seattle Sounders players staged a protest, which he argued that they deserved a fair share of the Club World Cup revenues. We expect similar discussion to come up as Inter Miami will move deeper into the tournament.
What’s Next?
Inter Miami now turns its focus to a massive Round of 16 clash against Paris Saint-Germain. It’s a high-stakes fixture in every sense—sporting, financial, and reputational. With global eyes watching and millions of dollars on the line, Messi’s side has a chance to make history both on the field and in the bank.
For a club that only joined the MLS a few years ago, Inter Miami’s rise has been swift. Now, they’re aiming to make it unforgettable.
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