Lionel Messi and Harry Kane forced to follow strict FIFA rule ahead of Club World Cup to avoid ban

Lionel Messi and Harry Kane are just two of the football stars that were forced to follow a strict rule in order to play in the Club World Cup.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, the Club World Cup got underway in the USA for the first year of the brand new format.

Saudi Pro League side Al Ahly faced Messi's Inter Miami in the opening match of the tournament, drawing 0-0 in the clash at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

Later on Sunday, Kane is expected to lead the line for Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich against New Zealand's Auckland City, with Paris Saint-Germain set to face Atletico Madrid in the evening.

However, before any of matches got underway, every player from the likes of Messi to the squad players for Auckland were forced to follow a strict rule implemented for the tournament.

Lionel Messi failed to lead Inter Miami to victory in their Club World Cup opener against Al Ahly. (Image: Getty)

As detailed in the official Fifa regulations for the Club World Cup, every single player looking to compete in the competition had to prove their identity before their first match, or they would be prohibited from playing.

Section 24.7 of the regulations 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."

Bayern Munich play Auckland in their first match of the tournament. (Image: Getty)

We can only imagine the almost comical situation of Messi, perhaps the most famous and recognisable football player of all time, having to approach Fifa officials with his passport in order to verify his identity ahead of the tournament, but this is exactly what happened.

However, it is entirely possible that Messi's time in the competition may not be as long as Fifa would likely have hoped, with a draw in their opening fixture casting doubts over their chances of progressing to the round of 16.

Meanwhile, the bookies have Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain as the current favourites to win the competition, with Opta giving the French side an 18.5% chance of lifting the trophy.