The Bet of Knowledge≡Unprecedented format with 32 teams
As the historic 2025 edition of the FIFA Club World Cup approaches, several giants of world football have already secured their presence in the competition. The new format will feature 32 teams, and the spots have been distributed based on continental titles and technical criteria defined by FIFA.
Among the qualified teams, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea stand out, having secured their spots by winning the UEFA Champions League between 2021 and 2024. On the South American side, Palmeiras and Flamengo secured their participation by winning the Libertadores in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Concacaf will have representatives such as Monterrey (Mexico) and Seattle Sounders (USA), winners of the region's Champions League. For Africa, the traditional Al Ahly (Egypt) secured their spot by winning the CAF Champions League. From Asia, clubs such as Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) are also guaranteed a place.
The host country, the United States, will have a place guaranteed for one of its clubs, yet to be confirmed. In total, there will be 12 places for Europe, 6 for South America, 4 for Concacaf, 4 for AFC, 4 for CAF, 1 for OFC and 1 for the host country. The full list will be finalized after the end of the 2024 continental competitions.
FIFA defines criteria and distribution
In February 2023, FIFA confirmed how the 32 places for the 2025 Club World Cup will be allocated, based on technical criteria and sporting performance. UEFA took the largest share, with 12 places, followed by CONMEBOL, with 6. The confederations of Asia (AFC), Africa (CAF) and North/Central America (CONCACAF) will each receive 4 places, while Oceania (OFC) and the host country, the USA, will each receive 1 place.
For UEFA and CONMEBOL, the champions of the last four editions of their main tournaments (Champions and Libertadores) are automatically qualified. The remaining places will be filled by a club ranking, which takes into account performance between 2021 and 2024. The ranking awards points for participation, wins, draws and stages reached. UEFA, for example, has a specific system with more weight for the knockout stages.
In the case of clubs that have won more than one edition, or countries with more than two qualifiers, the ranking will serve as a tiebreaker. The American spot was confirmed for the champion of the MLS Supporters’ Shield 2024, guaranteeing representation for the host country. FIFA does not consider the preliminary stages of continental tournaments.
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Discover some interesting facts about CLUB WORLD CUP
New format, controversies and curiosities
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will adopt the same format as the old World Cup for national teams: 32 teams divided into 8 groups of 4, with the top two advancing to the round of 16. Unlike the previous version, there will be no third-place play-off. Teams will receive medals and certificates, and the tournament will follow IFAB rules.
The trophy, designed by Tiffany & Co., will be plated in 24-karat gold, with inscriptions in several languages. The trophy was unveiled in November 2024. The official anthem will be “Freed from Desire” by Italian club Gala, and the emblem refers to the history and design of football.
The increase in participants has drawn criticism from unions such as FIFPRO and leagues such as La Liga, for overloading players in an already tight schedule. Some clubs may lose players due to contracts ending in June or due to transfers during the tournament. FIFA authorized a special window from June 1 to 10.
The multi-club ownership controversy resulted in the exclusion of León from Mexico due to a conflict with Pachuca, both of which are part of the same corporate group.
Finally, Inter Miami was chosen as the US representative after winning the 2024 Supporters' Shield, sparking controversy over an alleged attempt to secure Lionel Messi in the competition.
UEFA will have 12 representatives
UEFA will have 12 representatives at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which will take place in the United States between June 15 and July 13. The places were distributed between the UEFA Champions League champions and the teams with the best performance in the UEFA rankings between 2021 and 2024.
Qualified clubs:
Chelsea (England) – Champions League champions 2020/21.
Real Madrid (Spain) – Champions League champions 2021/22.
Manchester City (England) – Champions League champions 2022/23.
Bayern Munich (Germany) – Qualified via UEFA ranking.
Paris Saint-Germain (France) – Qualified via UEFA ranking.
Inter Milan (Italy) – Qualified via UEFA ranking.
Porto (Portugal) – Qualified via UEFA ranking.
Benfica (Portugal) – Qualified via UEFA ranking.
Borussia Dortmund (Germany) – Qualified via UEFA rankings.
Atlético de Madrid (Spain) – Qualified via UEFA rankings.
Red Bull Salzburg (Austria) – Qualified via UEFA rankings.
Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) – Qualified via AFC rankings.
Trendy clubs such as Barcelona, Arsenal and Liverpool were left out due to the limit of two representatives per country and their poor performance in the UEFA rankings during the qualifying period.
CONMEBOL will have 6 representatives
CONMEBOL (the South American Football Confederation) will have six representatives at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which will take place in the United States between June 15 and July 13. The places were distributed between the champions of the Copa Libertadores da América and clubs classified through the continental ranking.
Confirmed Clubs:
Palmeiras (Brazil) – Champion of the 2021 Copa Libertadores da América.
Flamengo (Brazil) – Champion of the 2022 Copa Libertadores da América.
Fluminense (Brazil) – Champion of the 2023 Copa Libertadores da América.
River Plate (Argentina) – Qualified via CONMEBOL ranking.
Boca Juniors (Argentina) – Qualified via CONMEBOL ranking.
Botafogo (Brazil) – Champion of the 2024 Copa Libertadores da América.
Concacaf will have 4 clubs in the World Cup
CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) will have four representatives at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States. The competition, with an expanded format to include 32 clubs, will take place between June 15 and July 13, 2025.
Confirmed Teams:
Club León (Mexico) – 2023 CONCACAF Champions League Champion.
Pachuca (Mexico) – 2022 CONCACAF Champions League Champion.
Montreal Impact (Canada) – Qualified via CONCACAF ranking.
Seattle Sounders (USA) – 2024 CONCACAF Champions League Champion.
These clubs secured their places based on their performances in the confederation's main competitions, such as the CONCACAF Champions League and the continental ranking. The inclusion of clubs from North and Central America is part of FIFA’s efforts to increase the global appeal of the tournament and further engage the North American market, which will be the focus of the competition in 2025.
The competition will be held in renowned stadiums in the United States, such as MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and is expected to attract a huge audience.
Asia will have 4 clubs in the World Cup
The AFC (Asian Football Confederation) will have four representatives at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which will take place in the United States, with an expanded format of 32 teams. The competition will run from 15 June to 13 July 2025, with Asian teams having already secured their place through exceptional performances in continental competitions.
Confirmed Teams:
Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) – 2022 AFC Champions League Champions.
Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia) – 2023 AFC Champions League Winners.
Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) – 2023 AFC Champions League Runners-up, secured their place via seeding.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (South Korea) – Qualified via AFC Continental Rankings.
These clubs have excelled in their respective leagues and continental competitions, reflecting the growth of Asian football on a global level. The presence of giants such as Al Hilal and Al Nassr, two Saudi powerhouses, adds a significant competitive character to the 2025 edition. In addition, Japanese and South Korean clubs bring tradition and strength from Asia to the competition.
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