 "The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has been expanded to include 32 teams. Reuters")
FIFA announced a reorganised format for the Club World Cup in 2025, expanding the tournament to 32 teams. Rebranded as the ‘Mundial de Clubes FIFA’, the tournament will grow from its current format of seven clubs - six from each continent and the hosts.
“Clubs play a fundamental role in world football, and the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will be a major milestone in providing clubs from all confederations with a fitting stage on which to shine at the highest level of the game,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino in December 2023.
“This will be an open competition based on sporting merit that will play a key role as part of our efforts to make football truly global.”
Which European teams have qualified for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup?
With Arsenal not going through to the ondoing UEFA Champions League edition’s semi-finals, following a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich , the pot from UEFA is confirmed for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Arsenal needed to win the European competition if they were to stand a chance at making it, but with the defeat, it has allowed Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg to qualify.
European clubs that have qualified: Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, PSG, Inter, Porto, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Red Bull Salzburg
Which teams have qualified for 2025 FIFA Club World Cup?
For the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Europe (UEFA) has the most representation with 12 slots. It is followed by South America (CONMEBOL) with six slots. Asia (AFC) and Africa (CAF) have four representatives each. North America (CONCACAF) has four spots in general but will get one more as the hosts (which will be announced on 17 May). Oceania (OFC) has just one slot.
Asia (AFC): Al Hilal, Urawa Red Diamonds, Winners of the 2023-24 AFC Champions League, Ulsan HD
Africa (CAF): Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca, Winners of the 2023-24 CAF Champions League, TBC
North America (CONCACAF): Monterrey, Seattle Sounders, Leon, Winners of the 2024 CONCACAF Champions League
South America (CONMEBOL): Palmeiras, Fluminense, Flamengo, Winners of the 2024 Copa Libertadores, TBC, TBC
Oceania (OFC): Auckland City
UEFA (Europe): Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, PSG, Inter, Porto, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Red Bull Salzburg
Hosts (CONCACAF): TBC
How have European teams qualified for the tournament?
The qualification criteria took into consideration results of the past four seasons of the confederation’s relevant premier club competition (eg. UEFA Champions League, Copa Libertadores etc.) and grants points starting from the group stage.
For UEFA, the qualification route is different. With three full seasons played and group stage in the fourth, it has allowed for a clear picture. As a result, here is how the calculation was done:
2 points for a win
1 point for a draw
4 points for qualification for the group stage
5 points for qualification for the Round of 16
1 point for progress to each stage of the competition thereafter
When will the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup take place?
The tournament will take place from 15 June to 13 July in the United States.