Of the many, many contentions around the Club World Cup, few have quite matched the qualification process for one team in particular. Joining a field of continental champions and some of the best performing teams from around the planet is a side who have never won their domestic league nor a top-level international trophy in their brief history.

FIFA said the Club World Cup, billed as "The Best v The Best," would be merit-based. Then it gave a spot to Messi's Inter Miami before the playoffs even began.

Inter Miami named 29 players to their FIFA Club World Cup squad as Javier Mascherano and Lionel Messi prepare to defy the odds.