The Club World Cup, which kicks off Saturday with $1 billion in prizes, faces many challenges. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF will play in the opener.

When the ball gets kicked off the center circle of Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, the United States will go down in history as the first host of the most important soccer tournament created this century.

The tournament – designed as a glittering showcase ahead of the 2026 World Cup – has had to contend with the prospect of empty seats along with controversial qualification rules and player welfare concerns after an exhausting European season.