Preview: Al Ahly vs Inter Miami - prediction, team news, lineups

The eagerly-anticipated 2025 FIFA Club World Cup begins at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida where Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami lock horns with Egyptian outfit Al-Ahly in the opening fixture of the tournament on Sunday (BST).

A total of 32 teams from six confederations will battle it out on the global stage, with Al-Ahly and Inter Miami joined in Group A by Porto and Palmeiras.

Match preview

Translating their domestic and continental dominance onto the global stage will be a tall order for Al Ahly at this summer’s tournament, but they should nonetheless be shown the utmost respect by their Group A opponents.

The Red Devils boast an unprecedented 45 Egyptian top-flight titles and have qualified for the Club World Cup for the 10th time in their history courtesy of their 2020-21, 2022-23 and 2023-24 CAF Champions League triumphs.

Only Real Madrid (15) and Auckland City (13) have won more continental titles than Al Ahly (12), who are the highest ranked African team in the world and have performed well in previous editions of the Club World Cup, finishing third on four occasions this decade.

After just under three years in charge, Marcel Koller was sacked by Al Ahly in April after losing in the Champions League semi-finals to South African outfit Mamelodi Sundowns, exiting via the away goals rule following a 1-1 aggregate draw, and they have since appointed Jose Riveiro as their new manager.

The Spaniard is preparing for his first competitive game in charge of the men from Cairo, who after winning six domestic games in a row came up short in a friendly clash with Mexican side Pachuca last weekend, losing 5-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium.

One of three Major League Soccer heavyweights flying the flag on home soil, Inter Miami have gone from strength to strength since they were formed seven years ago and they now boast one of the most high-profile rosters in American soccer.

All eyes will undoubtedly be on eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, who won three Club World Cups during his legendary spell with Barcelona and now plays alongside fellow world champions and former Catalan stars Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba at Inter Miami.

The Herons, owned by soon-to-be knighted footballing icon David Beckham, were awarded their place at the Club World Cup after winning the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield and setting the league's single-season points record (74 points in 34 games).

Javier Mascherano’s side subsequently qualified for the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup and progressed to the semi-finals where they lost 5-1 on aggregate to Vancouver Whitecaps in April, while they will soon participate in the 2025 Leagues Cup, a tournament they won for the first time two years ago.

Sitting third in the MLS Eastern Conference and five points behind the summit with a game in hand, Inter Miami’s form heading into the Club World Cup leaves little to be desired, as they have won only four of their last 12 games in all competitions (D3 L5), although they did convincingly win their last two MLS matches against CF Montreal (4-2) and Columbus Crew (5-1), most recently beating the latter on June 1.

Al Ahly form (all competitions):

W W W W W L

Inter Miami form (all competitions):

L D L D W W

Team News

Al Ahly suffered an injury scare prior to last weekend’s clash with Pachuca as Emam Ashour picked up a minor thigh injury in training, but the midfielder was fit to start the friendly and he should be in contention to retain his spot in the first XI.

Former Aston Villa forward Trezeguet joined his boyhood club in January and the 30-year-old is in contention to start in the final third along with Taher Mohamed, Achraf Bencharki and Wessam Abou Ali, who scored eight goals in his final six Egyptian Champions Playoff matches between the end of April and end of May.

As for Inter Miami, both Alba and Gonzalo Lujan were absent from training earlier this week due to unspecified muscle injuries and have emerged as doubts along with Yannick Bright, David Ruiz (both hamstring) and Drake Callender (groin).

However, goalkeeper Oscar Ustari and defender Tomas Aviles have returned to training following injury setbacks last month and they are both in contention to feature in some capacity against Al Ahly.

Mascherano will likely stick with a 4-4-2 formation, with 36-year-old Busquets and 20-year-old Benjamin Cremaschi set to link arms in the centre of midfield, while Messi and Suarez - who have scored 23 goals between them this year - are expected to start up front.

Al Ahly possible starting lineup:

El Shenawy; Hany, Rabia, Ibrahim, Debes; El Solia, Ashour, Ateya; Mohamed, Trezeguet; Abou Ali

Inter Miami possible starting lineup:

Ustari; Weigandt, Falcon, Lujan, Allen; Allende, Cremaschi, Busquets, Segovia; Messi, Suarez

We say: Al Ahly 1-1 Inter Miami

Supporters across the globe will be hoping for an entertaining contest that sets the tone for what should be a thrilling inaugural group stage, with all the eyes on Messi and co as they endeavour to kick-start the tournament in style with a precious victory.

However, success is far from a given for the defensively frail Herons, who have conceded in each of their last 10 games and may end up frustrated by an experienced Al Ahly outfit, who will back themselves to claim at least a point from matchday one.

Written by
Oliver Thomas

Previews by email