Frank Christian
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is set to begin on Saturday, featuring guest team Inter Miami facing off against Al Ahly, the recent winners of the CAF Champions League.
With Lionel Messi leading the charge since his mid-2023 arrival, the Herons are tasked with overcoming formidable global clubs that have each earned their spots through continental victories.
Inter Miami earned their invitation from CONCACAF after securing the 2024 Supporters’ Shield as the top team in the U.S. league. However, replicating that success in 2025 has proven challenging, with the team currently ranking third in the Eastern Conference.
Al Ahly, with their Egyptian roots, have claimed the African club title four times over the last six years, although they were ousted in the latest edition by Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa during the semifinals.
The Sporting News highlights the current squad information and injury statuses for both teams as the game approaches.
Al Ahly vs. Inter Miami lineups, expected starting 11, roster news
Al Ahly has made significant upgrades to their offense ahead of the Club World Cup. Veteran striker and Egypt international, Mahmoud Hassan, affectionately known as Trezeguet, has rejoined the team after a loan stint at Trabzonspor. In addition, they’ve secured his national teammate Zizo on a free transfer from rivals Zamalek.
Fortunately, the team has resolved their minor injury issues ahead of the end of the Egyptian league, leaving head coach Jose Riveiro with a fully available roster.
Al Ahly predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): El Shenawi (GK) — Hany, Ibrahim, El Aash, Kouka — Attia, Ashour, Reda — Trezeguet, W. Ali, Bencharki.
Injured: None.
Suspended: None.
Complete Al Ahly roster
Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Sayed, Mohamed El Shenawy, Mostafa Makhlouf, Mostafa Shobeir.
Defenders: Khaled Abdelfattah, Yahya Attiyat Allah, Achraf Dari, Mostafa El Aash, Mostafa El Dokesh, Motaz El Sayed, Karim Fouad, Mohamed Hany, Ahmed Hashem, Yasser Ibrahim, Omar Kamal, Ahmed Ramadan.
Midfielders: Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, Emam Ashour, Marwan Attia, Aliou Dieng, Karim El Debes, Omar El Saeey, Hussein El Shahat, Hamdi Fathi, Ahmed Kouka, Mohamed Magdy, Karim Nedved, Zizo.
Forwards: Hamza Abdel Karim, Mohamed Ali, Wessam Ali, Achraf Bencharki, Nejc Gradisar, Taher Mohamed, Samir Mohamed, Reda Slim, Trezeguet.
A decade ago, @LuisSuarez9 helped Barcelona clinch the @FIFACWC title as the leading scorer.
Now he’s back with @InterMiamiCF. pic.twitter.com/jvO8becySD
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 12, 2025
Inter Miami has centered their strategy around Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, but the supporting cast is rather limited. MLS veteran Fafa Picault has rejoined the Herons after representing Haiti in two World Cup qualifying matches earlier this month, opting out of the Gold Cup to participate in the Club World Cup instead.
Goalkeeper Drake Callender has been struggling with a hernia for several months, making his appearance in this tournament questionable post-surgery. Backup Oscar Ustari was substituted at halftime in their recent MLS game, but his condition appears stable.
Midfielder David Ruiz is back in training following a hamstring injury, while Jordi Alba has sustained an injury in late May and will not be available for this match. Additionally, Yannick Bright and Gonzalo Lujan are likely unavailable as they were absent from training due to hamstring injuries.
Inter Miami predicted XI (4-4-2, right to left): Ustari (GK) — Weigandt, Falcon, D. Martinez, Allen — Picault, Cremaschi, Busquets, Segovia — Messi, Suarez.
Injured: Callender (hernia), Ustari (muscle, in doubt), Alba (muscle, in doubt), Lujan (hamstring), Bright (hamstring).
Suspended: None.
Complete Inter Miami roster
Goalkeepers: Drake Callender, Oscar Ustari, Rocco Rios Novo, William Yarbrough.
Defenders: Jordi Alba, Noah Allen, Tomas Aviles, Israel Boatwright, Max Falcon, Ian Fray, Tyler Hall, Gonzalo Lujan, David Martinez, Marcelo Weigandt.
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Yannick Bright, Benjamin Cremaschi, Santiago Morales, Federico Redondo, Baltasar Rodriguez, David Ruiz.
Forwards: Leo Afonso, Tadeo Allande, Lionel Messi, Allen Obando, Fafa Picault, Luis Suarez.
Al Ahly vs. Inter Miami match prediction
Despite Al Ahly’s pre-tournament enhancements, Inter Miami is dealing with numerous injuries, a recurring theme since Messi’s arrival.
The combination of Messi and Suarez always poses a threat, but the team does not possess the same strength it had in previous years, having lost five out of seven matches in various competitions during April and May.
Finishing the recent league season on a high note, Al Ahly clinched the Egyptian Premier League title ahead of the CAF Champions League winners, Pyramids. They are likely to prevail against Inter Miami, who will face tough competition as the guest team in the Club World Cup.
Prediction: Al Ahly 3-2 Inter Miami
Al Ahly vs. Inter Miami live stream, TV information
All matches in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be available for live streaming at no cost onDAZN is available worldwide. Additionally, some matches may be shown on local channels depending on DAZN’s agreements with regional broadcasters.
Here’s a guide on how to view the 2025 Club World Cup opener in various key regions of the world:
| Date | Time | TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Sat, Jun. 14 | 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT | TBS, TUDN, Univision | DAZN, Sling, Fubo USA, TUDN app, Univision NOW |
| Canada | Sat, Jun. 14 | 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT | — | DAZN |
| UK | Sun, Jun. 15 | 1 a.m. BST | Channel 5 | DAZN |
| Australia | Sun, Jun. 15 | 12 p.m. AEST | — | DAZN, Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now |
| India | Sun, Jun. 15 | 5:30 a.m. IST | — | DAZN, tabii |
