Inter Miami has officially advanced to the knockout phase of the Club World Cup, a significant achievement that brings both sporting prestige and considerable financial rewards.
The Herons qualified following a 2-2 draw against Brazilian club Palmeiras on Monday in their final Group A match. Despite squandering a two-goal lead, the result ensured they finished second in the group, three points ahead of third-place FC Porto. This success followed a crucial 2-1 victory over Porto on Thursday, where Lionel Messi played a key role, making Inter Miami the only team outside of South America to defeat a European side in the tournament thus far.
Inter Miami will be the sole MLS club participating in the Round of 16 and is potentially the only team not from Europe or South America to make it to the knockout rounds. Although they benefited from a favorable group stage draw, the competition is set to intensify. Their next challenge is against Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16 on Sunday.
Inter Miami`s Knockout Stage Earnings
Simply by reaching the Round of 16, Inter Miami is guaranteed to earn $7.5 million. This represents a substantial sum for teams from the Concacaf region, even though Inter Miami is not considered financially constrained.
This amount is in addition to the $9.55 million they received just for participating in the group stage, and an further $4 million earned based on their results during the Group A matches.
Prize Money Distribution Dispute
The exact distribution of these earnings within the club remains a key question. A dispute is ongoing between MLS and the MLS Players Association regarding the collective amount players can receive, as the current collective bargaining agreement limits earnings from outside competitions to $1 million per team. Both parties agree this rule needs updating but are far apart on the proposed percentages: MLS suggests players receive 20% of total earnings, while the Players Association is pushing for 40%.
Club World Cup Prize Money Breakdown
- Group stage: $2 million per win; $1 million per draw
- Round of 16: $7.5 million
- Quarterfinals: $13.125 million
- Semifinal: $21 million
- Finalists: $30 million
- Champions: $40 million
Dominic Ashworth