Inter Miami has officially qualified for the knockout stages of the Club World Cup. This achievement brings significant sporting recognition along with a substantial financial benefit.
The Herons advanced following a 2-2 draw against Brazilian side Palmeiras in their final Group A match on Monday. Despite letting a 2-0 lead slip, the result secured them second place in the group, finishing three points ahead of third-placed FC Porto. Their position was solidified after Lionel Messi inspired them to a 2-1 victory over Porto on Thursday, making them the only team outside of South America to defeat a European opponent in the tournament so far.
Miami is set to be the sole MLS participant in the Round of 16 and potentially the only team from outside Europe or South America to reach this stage. Although they benefited from a favorable group stage draw, the competition is expected to intensify. Their next challenge will be against Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16 on Sunday.
Let`s take a closer look at the prize money Inter Miami has accumulated in the Club World Cup to date.
Inter Miami`s Knockout Stage Earnings
Simply by participating in the Round of 16, Inter Miami will earn $7.5 million. This is a considerable sum for clubs in the Concacaf region, even for a financially secure club like the Herons.
This figure is in addition to the $9.55 million they received for competing in the group stage. Miami also earned an extra $4 million based on their results during their Group A matches.
How the Money Will Be Distributed
Precisely how this money will be allocated remains a multi-million dollar question, particularly for MLS teams. The league and the MLS Players Association are currently in a dispute regarding how player compensation from these earnings will be handled. Under the existing collective bargaining agreement, a team`s players can collectively receive a maximum of $1 million from external competitions. While both sides agree this section of the CBA needs updating, they are significantly apart on the revised terms – MLS proposes players receive 20% of the total earnings, whereas the Players Association is pushing for 40%.
Club World Cup Prize Money Structure
- Group stage: $2 million per win; $1 million per draw
- Round of 16: $7.5 million
- Quarterfinals: $13.125 million
- Semifinals: $21 million
- Finalists: $30 million
- Champions: $40 million
