Inter Miami will take on the Vancouver Whitecaps in a historic 2026 MLS Cup Final on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps, both teams making their first-ever appearance in the championship.
This matchup guarantees a brand-new MLS champion, as Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami squares off against a determined Vancouver side led by Bayern Munich legend Thomas Müller in what’s set to be an electrifying showdown between two of the league’s hottest teams.
Miami’s explosive playoff run and home-field edge make them slight favorites, but Vancouver’s recent success against Miami in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and their impressive turnaround under new coach Jesper Sørensen keep this final wide open.
Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps Match Information, Prediction, H2H and Where to Watch
Table of Contents
Match Info
- Match: Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps
- Tournament: MLS Cup Final
- Match Date: Saturday, 6 December 2025
- Time: 14:30 ET / 11:30 AM PT
- Stadium: Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, USA
This is the 30th MLS Cup championship and notably the final match at Chase Stadium before Inter Miami relocates to Miami Freedom Park in 2026.
Inter Miami’s Championship Run:
The Herons have been absolutely dominant in the playoffs, showcasing the full devastating effect of Lionel Messi’s brilliance in conjunction with a restructured team under new coach Javier Mascherano.
Inter Miami dismantled Nashville SC 2-1, then delivered a stunning 4-0 conference semifinal shutout of FC Cincinnati before crushing New York City FC 5-1 in the conference final.
Remarkably, Mascherano moved Messi into a false nine position and benched Luis Suárez, a tactical shift that has created dynamic attacking opportunities with Tadeo Allande scoring twice in the 5-1 victory.
Inter Miami’s playoff record of 17 goals scored against just 4 conceded (+13 goal difference) demonstrates their complete dominance and superiority at both ends of the pitch.
Vancouver’s Resurgent Season:
The Whitecaps have engineered one of MLS’s most impressive turnarounds, setting a club record with 63 regular-season points and now appearing in their first-ever MLS Cup Final.
Vancouver reached the CONCACAF Champions Cup final while winning their fourth consecutive Canadian Championship, showcasing their depth across competitions.
The mid-season acquisition of Thomas Müller has proven transformative—the Bayern Munich legend has produced 9 goals and 4 assists in just 12 matches across all competitions.
Vancouver earned their Western Conference title by defeating LA Galaxy 3-1 and San Diego FC 3-1 in the playoffs, with Brian White delivering crucial goals throughout their playoff run.
Inter Miami Last 5 Matches
| Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS Cup) | TBD | Upcoming | MLS Cup Final | Dec 6, 2025 |
| New York City FC (Conf Final) | 5-1 | W | MLS Conf Final | Dec 1, 2025 |
| FC Cincinnati (Conf Semis) | 4-0 | W | MLS Conf Semis | Nov 29, 2025 |
| Nashville SC (Rd 1) | 2-1 | W | MLS Playoffs Rd 1 | Nov 24, 2025 |
| Vancouver Whitecaps (Reg Season) | 1-3 | L | MLS Regular Season | May 25, 2025 |
Vancouver Last 5 Matches
| Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inter Miami CF (MLS Cup) | TBD | Upcoming | MLS Cup Final | Dec 6, 2025 |
| San Diego FC (Conf Final) | 3-1 | W | MLS Conf Final | Dec 3, 2025 |
| LA Galaxy (Conf Semis) | 3-1 | W | MLS Conf Semis | Nov 30, 2025 |
| Portland Timbers (Rd 1) | 3-0 | W | MLS Playoffs Rd 1 | Nov 25, 2025 |
| Inter Miami CF (Concacaf Cup) | 3-1 | W | Concacaf Champ Cup SF | Apr 30, 2025 |
Head to Head of Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps (H2H history)
Inter Miami have a solid all-time edge over Vancouver, winning 23 of their 39 matchups, though the Whitecaps have held their own with 8 wins and 8 draws.
In their last three clashes, however, Vancouver has had the upper hand 2-1, taking both legs of the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals (2-0 and 3-1), while Miami managed only a regular-season win without their key players.
This recent run could give Vancouver a psychological boost heading into the final.
| Record | Total | Miami Wins | Draws | Vancouver Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-Time Matches | 39 | 23 | 8 | 8 |
| Goals For (Miami) | 74 | |||
| Goals Against (Miami) | 46 | |||
| Recent 3 Matches | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Current Team News
Inter Miami Team News: Coach Javier Mascherano has orchestrated a masterclass in tactical flexibility, with Lionel Messi producing 13 goal contributions across five playoff matches.
Midfielder Sergio Busquets and defender Jordi Alba—both Barcelona and Spain legends—will be playing their potentially final competitive match before announced retirements.
Forward Tadeo Allande has emerged as a crucial secondary scoring threat with multiple playoff goals. The Herons’ attack is firing on all cylinders, though their defense has shown occasional vulnerabilities that Vancouver may seek to exploit.
Vancouver Team News: Jesper Sørensen’s squad arrives at full strength with the crucial return of center back Tristan Blackmon from suspension, providing defensive reinforcement.
Thomas Müller’s leadership and creative brilliance have transformed Vancouver’s attack, while Brian White has proven clinical in front of goal with multiple playoff goals.
The Whitecaps’ balanced attacking lineup and deeper roster compared to Miami could prove valuable in a grueling championship match.
Current Possible Starting XI Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps
Inter Miami Predicted XI (4-3-3):
- Ríos Novo; Alba, Freire, Kryvtsov; Busquets, Cremaschi, Gómez; Messi, Allende, Taylor.
Vancouver Predicted XI (4-2-3-1):
- Takaoka; Brown, Veselinović, Laborda, Adekugbe; Cubas, Schöpf; Raposo, Müller, Picault; White.
Key Players to watch
It is the first time that Messi vs Muller is playing a final match in American soccer history.
Inter Miami Key Players:
- Lionel Messi: Tournament legend with 13 goal contributions across five playoff matches, operating as a false nine with devastating effect
- Tadeo Allande: Forward with multiple playoff goals, providinga secondary attacking threat alongside Messi
- Jordi Alba: Barcelona and Spain legend providing defensive and offensive contributions in what may be his final match
- Sergio Busquets: Midfield maestro orchestrating possession and defensive stability
Vancouver Whitecaps Key Players:
- Thomas Müller: Bayern Munich legend with 9 goals and 4 assists in 12 matches, providing a creative and goal-scoring threat
- Brian White: Forward with multiple playoff goals, showcasing clinical finishing
- Tristan Blackmon: Center back returning from suspension to strengthen Vancouver’s defensive structure
- Ryan Gauld: Midfielder providing creativity and link-up play in Vancouver’s attacking system
Match Prediction – Inter Miami vs Vancouver MLS Cup Final
This MLS Cup Final is exquisitely balanced between two exceptional teams with contrasting strengths but similar ambition.
Inter Miami enters as the slight favorites due to their explosive playoff form, home-field advantage, and Messi’s individual brilliance that has produced 13 goal contributions in five matches.
Their defensive performance—conceding just 4 goals across the entire playoff run—demonstrates well-rounded excellence.
However, Vancouver’s recent dominance in head-to-head encounters cannot be dismissed—they defeated Miami twice in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and possess tactical cohesion under Sørensen that has carried them to 63 regular-season points.
Thomas Müller’s individual class and Brian White’s goal-scoring prowess could trouble Miami’s defense.
Playoff Performance Comparison:
| Team | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded | Goal Diff | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inter Miami | 17 | 4 | +13 GD | Eastern Champs |
| Vancouver Whitecaps | 9 | 6 | +3 GD | Western Champs |
The key tactical battle will center on how Miami’s defense manages Müller and White, while Vancouver must contain Messi’s influence and the creative supporting cast of Busquets and Alba. Set pieces could prove decisive given both teams’ aerial capabilities.
- Predicted Score: Inter Miami 2-1 Vancouver Whitecaps (Messi’s playoff brilliance secures Miami’s first MLS Cup)
This championship match will determine whether Miami’s explosive playoff dominance or Vancouver’s season-long consistency prevails on the sport’s biggest MLS stage.
Where to Watch the Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps
United States:
- TV: FOX, FOX Deportes
- Streaming: MLS Season Pass (Apple TV)
- Time: 2:30 PM ET / 11:30 AM PT (December 6, 2025)
Canada:
- TV: TSN, RDS
- Streaming: MLS Season Pass
- Time: 2:30 PM ET / 11:30 AM PT
United Kingdom and Europe:
- Streaming: ESPN+, various regional broadcasters
- Time: 7:30 PM GMT / 8:30 PM CET (December 6, 2025)
Australia:
- Streaming: MLS Season Pass, ESPN+
- Time: December 7, 2025 (Australian time zone)
Global Viewing: The MLS Cup Final will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass (Apple TV) and regional broadcasters. Check MLS.com for your country’s specific coverage options.
