In the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, three MLS teams made the cut: Inter Miami, Seattle Sounders FC, and Los Angeles FC. Below, ZizaGoal will take you through how these clubs qualified, what pathways got them there, and what their chances look like.
What is the 2025 Club World Cup format & qualification for MLS
The 2025 edition of the Club World Cup is a new, expanded format: 32 clubs.
For MLS (Major League Soccer), there are special qualification rules for this tournament:
- Host slot: Since the U.S. is the host nation, there’s a reserved slot for an MLS club.
- Others qualify via CONCACAF tournaments (Champions Cup / Champions League) or by other league-based honours like the Supporters’ Shield.
MLS Clubs in the 2025 Club World Cup & how they qualified
Here are the three MLS teams in the 2025 tournament, and the paths they took to get there:
| Club | How They Qualified | Key Facts |
| Inter Miami CF | Qualified as the host-nation representative, by winning the 2024 Supporters’ Shield. | |
| Seattle Sounders FC | Earned qualification via the 2022 CONCACAF Champions Cup (formerly Champions League). | |
| Los Angeles FC (LAFC) | Won a play-in match to take the final CONCACAF/MLS-related berth after Club León was removed due to ownership conflicts. LAFC beat Club América in that playoff. |
What challenges and expectations lie ahead for these MLS teams
- Level of competition: These clubs will face some of the biggest names in club football: European heavyweights, South American powerhouses, and elite Asian and African clubs. The margin for error is tiny.
- Firsts & history: Inter Miami made history by becoming the first MLS club to beat a European club (FC Porto) in an official match in the Club World Cup group stage.
- Depth & consistency: Success won’t come from just having star players — squad depth, managing fatigue, travel, and adapting to different styles will be crucial.
How they fared (so far) in the tournament
- Both Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders FC got into the competition, and have shown moments of promise.
- LAFC, after winning the playoff to get in, face a very tough group including giants like Chelsea and Flamengo. Any advancement beyond the group stage would be a major achievement for them.
Why this matters & what it means for MLS
- Seeing three MLS clubs in a full-blown global tournament of this scale signals that the league is increasingly being recognised on the world stage.
- Good performances (or surprises) here help not just the clubs, but also MLS’s reputation, its players, its ability to attract stars, sponsors, fans internationally.
- For fans, it means seeing Messi, Suarez, others going head-to-head with top global talent while representing U.S./Canada-based clubs.
Conclusion
Which MLS teams are in the Club World Cup? Inter Miami CF, Seattle Sounders FC, and LAFC are your representatives for MLS in the 2025 tournament.
If you’re an MLS fan, this offers huge opportunities: pride, exposure, and underdog moments. And if you’re curious, ZizaGoal will be watching closely to see how far they go, what surprises happen, and how this shapes the future of MLS on the world club scene. Want predictions, match schedules, or player stats? Just say the word — ZizaGoal’s got you covered.
