Opening ceremony with Latin beats, rap, and club pride: 60,927 spectators for Messi’s Inter Miami debut, today the first big match between PSG and Atletico Madrid.
Last night, Saturday June 14, the opening ceremony of the 2025 Club World Cup took place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, featuring a show blending music, culture, and sport. Starting at 7:15 p.m. local time (1:15 a.m. in Italy), the event opened with a choreography inspired by the theme “Latin beats, rap vibes and club pride,” created by Grammy-winning producer Emilio Estefan Jr. Emerging artists Vikina and Richaelio kicked off the evening with Latin American rhythms.
Following them, rappers French Montana and Swae Lee took the stage with a high-energy performance. Among the songs performed was French Montana’s “Unforgettable,” selected to fire up the international audience. Robbie Williams was present as FIFA’s musical ambassador but did not perform live. The event, produced under the slogan “A new era begins,” celebrated the 32 participating clubs with a symbolic parade of their crests.
Despite high expectations, the atmosphere was more subdued than advertised: attendance was decent, but some seats remained empty, prompting FIFA to release last-minute tickets at discounted prices. In the end, 60,927 spectators were present at Hard Rock Stadium, with a significant turnout of Egyptian Al Ahly fans, showcasing the event’s global appeal.
Immediately after the ceremony, at 8:00 p.m. Miami time, the opening match was played: Messi’s Inter Miami faced African champions Al Ahly. The game ended 0-0 after an intense but goalless match. Al Ahly dominated the first half, creating several chances, including a penalty saved by opposing goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.
Messi, not yet in the physical form he showed at the World Cup in Qatar where he starred in Argentina’s triumph, grew into the game in the second half, hitting the crossbar from a free kick and narrowly missing a late winner in stoppage time.
Today, June 15, 2025, Bayern Munich and Auckland will face off at 12:00 p.m. local time (6:00 p.m. in Italy) in Cincinnati, Ohio, for the Group C opener.
Later, at 12:00 p.m. local time in Pasadena, California (9:00 p.m. in Italy), PSG and Atletico Madrid will play at the stadium that hosted the famous 1994 World Cup Final (won by Brazil on penalties against Sacchi and Baggio’s Italy) in the tournament’s first marquee match.
In New Jersey, at MetLife Stadium, Palmeiras and Porto will meet at 6:00 p.m. local time (midnight in Italy).
The day’s schedule will conclude in Seattle, where Botafogo and Seattle Sounders will play at 7:00 p.m. local time (4:00 a.m. in Italy).
The group stage features eight groups of four teams each, with the top two advancing to the round of 32.
The entire tournament runs from June 14 to July 13 across the United States, with over $100 million in prize money and the final scheduled at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
