Inter Miami might be gearing up for the fight of their lives against European juggernauts Paris Saint-Germain, but here’s the kicker—they’ve already pocketed millions just by showing up and flexing some Messi magic. Welcome to the modern FIFA Club World Cup: bigger, richer, and full of surprises. And so far, no one’s banking better than Miami.
Fresh off his 38th birthday, Lionel Messi is still pulling strings like a maestro. Miami’s Group A adventure saw them grab five points—thanks to a dramatic 2–2 draw with Palmeiras, an earlier tie against Al Ahly, and a history-making win over Porto.
That second-place finish set up a mouthwatering round-of-16 clash with Messi’s old flame, PSG, at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 29. But here’s the part that will make MLS accountants swoon: no matter the result, Miami’s bank balance has already ballooned.
Breaking Down the Big Bucks
FIFA’s newly expanded Club World Cup didn’t just bring global glory; it also brought a $1 billion prize pot, which was announced in March. Suddenly, even Europe’s top dogs stopped scoffing and started taking notes.
For Inter Miami, the math looks like this:
- Automatic ‘host’ slot = $9.55 million
- Draw vs. Al Ahly = $1 million
- Win vs. Porto = $2 million
- Draw vs. Palmeiras = $1 million
- Round-of-16 qualification bonus = $7.5 million
Total so far: $21.05 million.
© FIFA via Getty ImagesThat’s more than a year’s worth of MLS prize pots, and Miami hasn’t even hit the knockout rounds yet.
MLS Playoffs vs. Club World Cup Cash
To put it in perspective, when Miami crashed out of the 2024 MLS playoffs in round one (thanks to Atlanta United), they earned nothing. Atlanta pocketed a modest $20,000 for that two-legged win.
So, this Club World Cup windfall feels like winning the lottery for a club accustomed to MLS-level revenues. And if, by some miracle, they manage to upset PSG, another $13.125 million would flow in for a quarterfinal berth. After that? The prize escalates like crazy.
© Getty ImagesThe expanded Club World Cup is more than just a cash cow. For clubs outside the European bubble, it’s an opportunity to boost global brand visibility, attract sponsors, and lure new fans, especially with Messi as the poster boy.
And if you think Miami’s situation is sweet, consider Auckland City FC. The semi-pro Kiwis had to take PTO from their day jobs to compete, yet pocketed $3.58 million just for showing up. For a club whose annual revenue was around $660,000, that’s life-changing. Oh, and they got to share a field with Bayern Munich and Benfica, which probably beats sitting at the office.
So, as Miami prepares to face PSG, expectations are realistic. Toppling the reigning European champs? A tall order. But it’s essentially a free hit, with no pressure and financial rewards already secured.
© Getty ImagesNo matter the result, Messi’s Miami is now on the map in a big way. The Club World Cup has proven to be a game-changer for MLS clubs, and the tournament hasn’t even reached its business end yet.
For David Beckham’s club, the future looks bright. And very, very lucrative.
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