Inter Miami adds Tokyo game against J1 League champs to 2024 preseason world tour
Inter Miami added Tokyo to its 2024 preseason world tour itinerary.
The team announced Friday that it will play J1 League champions Vissel Kobe at the 60,000-seat Japan National Stadium on Feb. 7. That match will follow already-scheduled trips to face the El Salvador national team in San Salvador Jan. 19, Saudi Arabian teams Al-Hilal on Jan. 29 and Al Nassr (Cristiano Ronaldo’s team) Feb. 1 in the Riyadh Season Cup, and a Hong Kong all-star team Feb. 4.
“Tokyo is an inspiring destination with a fervent fútbol community that we’re looking forward to getting acquainted with; we’re thrilled to visit Japan as one of our stops as we continue to bring joy to our global fanbase,” said Inter Miami chief business officer Xavier Asensi.
Vissel Kobe is the former club of legendary Spanish midfielder Andrés Iniesta, who will attend the game and be reunited with his long-time FC Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. The group won one UEFA Champions League and four LaLiga titles together at FC Barcelona, while Iniesta won the FIFA World Cup with Busquets, and the UEFA European Championship with both Busquets and Alba for Spain.
“Vissel Kobe is a powerhouse club in Asia coming off of a historic season after winning the J1 League, so we’re thrilled about this opportunity to sharpen our team in a match like this one,” said Inter Miami sporting director Chris Henderson. “We continue to look for the best ways to prepare for 2024 and feel confident this match and this tour will help us do that.”
Broadcast details for the matches will be announced at a later date. Inter Miami training camp opens Jan. 10 and the MLS season kicks off in late-February. The full season schedule is expected to be announced next week.
This story was originally published December 15, 2023 at 10:53 AM.