As the revamped 2025 FIFA Club World Cup kicks off on June 15, 32 top clubs from six continents will compete in the U.S. for a staggering $1 billion prize pool. However, many fans are confused: why did European powerhouses like Liverpool and Barcelona fail to qualify? This article breaks down the qualification rules.
Qualification Mechanism: Continental Quotas
At the 2023 Kigali Congress, FIFA approved a continental quota system for the 2025 tournament, allocating spots based on footballing strength, historical legacy, and market influence:
Europe: 12 spots (max 2 per national federation)
South America: 6 spots
Asia, Africa, CONCACAF: 4 spots each
Oceania: 1 spot
Host nation: 1 spot (Miami Inter)
The qualification is determined by a four-year cycle (2021–2024), combining continental competition results and ranking points.
Direct Qualification via Continental Titles
Europe & South America (over 4 spots): The past 4 UCL/Copa Libertadores champions qualify directly:
Europe: Chelsea, Real Madrid, Man City
South America: Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense
Asia, Africa, CONCACAF (4 spots each): Past 4 continental champions:
Asia: Al Hilal (KSA), Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN), 蔚山现代 (KOR), Al Ain (UAE)
Africa: Wydad (MAR), Al Ahly (EGY), Esperance (TUN), Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)
CONCACAF: Monterrey (MEX), Seattle Sounders (USA), Pachuca (MEX), LAFC (USA, substituted for León)
Note: León (MEX) was disqualified due to ownership conflicts, with LAFC winning a playoff against América (MEX) to qualify—though FIFA faced criticism for bypassing higher-ranked Philadelphia Union.
Oceania (1 spot): The highest-ranked OFC Champions League winner in four years (Auckland City).
Qualification via Ranking Points
Clubs qualify based on 2021–2024 continental competition points:
Europe: Bayern Munich, PSG, Inter Milan, Porto, Benfica, Dortmund, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Red Bull Salzburg
South America: River Plate, Boca Juniors, Botafogo
Why Liverpool & Barcelona Missed Out
Liverpool (ENG): Ranked 7th in European points, but England’s quota was full (Chelsea, Man City).
Barcelona (ESP): Poor UCL performance (two group-stage exits in four years) left them 3rd in Spain’s rankings, behind Atlético Madrid.
Fan Reactions
"What if four different English clubs won the UCL in four years?"
"They could all qualify, like how four Brazilian clubs joined via Copa Libertadores titles."
"Unfair to exclude traditional giants to give smaller nations spots."
"Otherwise, it’d just be the UCL again."
"But we want to watch the UCL!"
“Then keep watching it—it’s not replacing the UCL.”
The high-stakes tournament demands excellence in continental competitions, especially the UCL, for European clubs. For now, the 2025 Club World Cup promises drama, but its qualification rules have sparked debate about fairness and tradition.
