It’s hard to know what to expect from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. 

Up until now, this tournament has been an afterthought for the heavy hitters, but soccer’s governing body decided to expand the tournament for this summer, using it as a test run for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup taking place in North America.

Thirty-two clubs from around the world will compete in the Club World Cup, which begins Saturday night when Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami hosts Al Ahly, the champions of the Egyptian Premier League.

Messi and Miami are +100 favorites on the three-way moneyline for Saturday’s curtain-raiser.

Part of the allure of the Club World Cup is pitting teams from opposite sides of the world against one another. This is a perfect opener in that regard, with Africa’s most successful club taking on the favorites to win the MLS Cup. 

With Messi and Luis Suarez leading the way, Inter Miami is one of the best attacking sides in MLS, but they have plenty of issues in their own end.

The Herons average more goals per game (2.25) than any team in MLS this season, but they’re near the bottom of the circuit in goals conceded, and they’re middle of the road in terms of expected goals against.

Against more formidable sides, Inter Miami’s defensive flaws will be a red flag, but they should be able to control the tempo in this tilt.

Both of these clubs know that this will be the most winnable match of the group stage for them, which should lead to a more aggressive encounter, and that favors the home side.

Playing at home, in the tournament opener, you can pay the price on Messi and Miami on Saturday night.

THE PLAY: Inter Miami (+100, FanDuel)

Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.