Kicking off on June 14, 2025, the FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S. promises soccer fans a month-long celebration, starting with Inter Miami CF, featuring Lionel Messi, facing Al Ahly FC in Miami Gardens.

With 32 teams from six continents, this tournament not only marks a significant moment for soccer in America but also offers an opportunity for fans to see last year's champions, Manchester City, compete against rising MLS stars like Inter Miami's Messi. The month-long event, held across various venues, serves as the perfect excuse for soccer enthusiasts to camp out in front of their screens, with a free streaming option on DAZN—assuming they can remember their passwords.

The tournament promises to be a bonanza of talented players, with renowned clubs vying for the title. Notably, Al Ahly FC will kick off in a highly anticipated match against Messi and his Miami teammates. For MLS followers, this is like a visit to the Holy Grail—only instead of Grail Knights, there are just really talented soccer players and the occasional confused referee trying to keep up.

Inter Miami CF, the media's favorite club partly due to Messi's star power and partly because their name sounds suspiciously like a sandwich, made it to the tournament with a qualification that all but guarantees entertainment. It’s hard not to wonder whether the MLS might soon rebrand itself as the 'Messi League Soccer' given the significant attention he's brought to the league. Just when you thought soccer couldn't bring any more drama, Messi turns up and suddenly it’s the must-watch series of the summer.

While the eyes of the soccer world are focused on Miami, fans from across the globe are encouraged to tune in for the games streamed for free on DAZN. It’s unclear what hoops fans will need to jump through to set up their free account—perhaps a riddle or two from a sphinx—but one thing is for sure: if you can remember your password for your 18 other streaming services, then you might just manage this one too.

As the tournament unfolds, exciting matches will follow in quick succession. Group stage matches, where teams will jockey for position like drivers in a rush hour commute, are scheduled from June 14 to June 26. The stakes will be high, as teams aim to prove their worth and avoid an early exit from the tournament—not unlike a contestant on a reality show fighting for their survival.

Once the dust settles from the group stages, the Round of 16 will commence from June 28 to July 1, followed closely by the Quarter-Finals on July 4 and 5. These dates are noteworthy not only for the potential fireworks on the field but also for their unfortunate collision with barbecues and family gatherings, proving once again that trying to balance soccer passion with social obligations is indeed an art.

The Semi-Finals are set for July 8 and 9, where only the best will survive the brutal evaluation of their soccer skills. This is the point in the competition when the action intensifies—it’s the gladiatorial aspect of the sport where dreams are either realized or dashed, ending careers or, at the very least, leading to an awkward post-match handshake.

Lastly, all roads lead to the Final on July 13, 2025. Expectations will be high, with fans predicting everything from exhilarating goals to that one massive blunder that everyone will remember for years. By this point, the participating teams will have experienced enough highs and lows to write a soap opera about soccer—who needs drama when you have sport?

As the world tunes in to this grand soccer spectacle, it becomes clear that the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is more than just a tournament. It’s a celebration of cultures, rivalries, and yes, a monthly healthy allocation of tension and thrill in front of the screen. So, clear your calendars and prepare your streaming accounts—this summer is bound to be electrifying. Just be sure to have some snacks handy; you wouldn’t want to miss a minute of Messi magic while waiting for your microwave popcorn to finish.