The expanded Club World Cup has kicked off with healthy crowds, "Messi mania" and a festival atmosphere in Miami, giving an early vindication to world football body FIFA after fears of empty stands and global disinterest.

ESPN pundit Shaka Hislop has expressed confidence that Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi will break Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo's FIFA Club World

It’s taken time for the Club World Cup to build brand awareness, but opening weekend drew huge crowds in Miami, NYC and Los Angeles.

Lionel Messi drew vast crowds and showed flashes of his brilliance when his Inter Miami side were held to a goalless draw by African giants Al-Ahly as the revamped Club World Cup got off to a festive start on Saturday.

The inaugural expanded summer Club World Cup is officially now underway as 32 teams face off across four weeks in the USA.Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami kicked off the tournament against Al Ahly of Egypt in an entertaining goalless draw on Saturday night,

An Argentine not named Messi was the MVP for Inter Miami in the Club World Cup on Saturday night. The hero in the tournament opener was goaltender Oscar Ustari. Ustari made eight saves, including

The expanded Club World Cup has kicked off with healthy crowds, "Messi mania" and a festival atmosphere in Miami, giving an early vindication to world football body FIFA after fears of empty stands and global disinterest.