After a remarkable season, Inter Miami is now gearing up for the 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) campaign with an intensive pre-season tour across South America. Lionel Messi’s side has officially confirmed a series of friendly fixtures in Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador to prepare ahead of the new season.
This tour marks the second consecutive year that Inter Miami will visit Peru for pre-season preparations. The club’s journey will commence in Lima, where they are set to face Alianza Lima at the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium on 24 January. Alianza Lima, one of Peru’s most historic football clubs, boasts 25 Primera División league titles, making them the country’s second most successful team.
Following their Peruvian leg, Messi and Luis Suárez will travel to Colombia to face two-time Copa Libertadores champions Atlético Nacional on 31 January. Atlético Nacional, with 18 domestic league titles, will field notable players including former MLS star Dairon Asprilla and long-serving Colombian international goalkeeper David Ospina.
The final stop on Inter Miami’s pre-season tour will be Ecuador, where the team will play Barcelona SC in Guayaquil at the Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha. This match carries extra intrigue, as Messi and Suárez will face a club sharing the iconic “Barcelona” name in Ecuador.
The full squad for this South American tour has yet to be announced, but organisers anticipate substantial crowds for each match. Additional pre-season fixtures may also be added by the MLS champions.
Inter Miami’s competitive 2026 MLS season is scheduled to kick off on 21 February, with a home clash against Los Angeles FC at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
In other news, 4 April will mark a historic day for Inter Miami as they inaugurate their new home ground, Miami Freedom Park. Prior to this, the team is expected to host either Nashville SC or Atlético Ottawa in a CONCACAF Champions Cup fixture at Fort Lauderdale’s Chase Stadium on 18 March. The first official match at Miami Freedom Park will then take place against Austin FC on 4 April.
Pre-Season South America Tour Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location / Stadium | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Jan | Alianza Lima | Alejandro Villanueva Stadium, Lima, Peru | 25-time Peruvian league champions |
| 31 Jan | Atlético Nacional | Medellín, Colombia | 18-time Colombian league champions; includes Asprilla & Ospina |
| TBA | Barcelona SC | Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha, Guayaquil, Ecuador | Ecuadorian powerhouse club |
With this strategic tour, Inter Miami aims to sharpen its squad, build chemistry, and offer fans across the Americas a first look at their star-studded lineup. The excitement surrounding Messi, Suárez, and their teammates is expected to generate significant international attention, further elevating the club’s profile ahead of the 2026 MLS season.
