Club World Cup: Lionel Messi Forced to Comply With FIFA Rule to Avoid Ban

• Football stars were hit with a surprise rule ahead of their opening matches in the newly revamped Club World Cup
• The tournament, which runs from 15 June to 13 July, features 32 teams from six confederations competing for glory
• Despite concerns over an already packed schedule, the competition boasts a staggering $1 billion prize fund

Lionel Messi and Harry Kane are just two of the global football icons required to follow a strict rule to participate in the Club World Cup.

The tournament kicked off in the early hours of Sunday, marking its debut in the USA under a new format.

In the opening game, Saudi Pro League giants Al Ahly held Messi’s Inter Miami to a goalless draw at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

Later on Sunday, Kane is set to spearhead the attack for Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich against Auckland City, while Paris Saint-Germain will take on Atletico Madrid later in the evening.

But before a single ball was kicked, all players, from global stars like Messi to squad members of Auckland City, were required to comply with a strict rule put in place for the tournament.

According to FIFA’s official Club World Cup regulations, every player was required to verify their identity before stepping onto the pitch — or risk being barred from participating.

This rule is outlined in Section 24.7 of the tournament guidelines, which states:

"Before the start of the Competition, every player and official on the final list must prove their identity by producing their legally valid individual passport with a photograph.

"Any player or official who fails to submit this document will not be allowed to take part in the Competition."

It’s almost amusing to picture Lionel Messi — arguably the most famous footballer on the planet — having to present his passport to FIFA officials just to confirm his identity, but that’s exactly what the rules required.

Despite his star power, Messi’s run in the tournament might be cut short, as Inter Miami’s opening draw has raised questions about their chances of reaching the round of 16.

Meanwhile, Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain are the current favourites, with bookmakers backing them and Opta assigning an 18.5% chance of lifting the trophy.

Messi’s quiet night at Hard Rock Stadium

Lionel Messi, for his part, had a relatively subdued outing. Operating deeper than usual, the Argentine maestro struggled to impose himself against Al Ahly’s compact midfield and energetic pressing.

Apart from a few clever passes and a single shot from distance that narrowly missed, it wasn’t a vintage performance from the Inter Miami captain, as featured by Goal.

Al Ahly shift their focus to their next game against Palmeiras while Inter Miami prepares for their second fixture against Portugal's FC Porto, with both matches happening on June 19.

Al Ahly sets unwanted CWC record

YEN.com.gh earlier reported on Al Ahly’s draw against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, which has earned them an unenviable place in the Club World Cup record books.

The African football heavyweight wasted several golden opportunities to record a historic victory against the MLS team but they failed to make it count in front of a well-packed Hard Rock Stadium.

Source: YEN.com.gh