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.

After more than a year of uncertainty and criticism, the Club World Cup kicked off in Miami on Saturday and soccer may never be the same. At least

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,

Shane Baz pitched 6 2/3 effective innings and Junior Caminero drilled a three-run home run as the visiting Tampa Bay Rays continued their surge with a 9-0 victory, completing a three-game sweep of the New York Mets on Sunday afternoon.

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