Contents
Qualification for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup was based on results achieved between 2021 and 2024, taking into account club competitions across different continents.
FIFA wants to make a big splash at the 2025 Club World Cup, expanding the tournament to 32 teams for the first time in its history. The identity of the participating teams is already known, as the Club World Cup group draws have already been completed, but few people still understand why these specific teams are participating. Along with the names of the participating teams, we now explain the selection and qualification process, that is, how Club World Cup qualification was possible.
Club World Cup Qualification – Quotas and Qualification Criteria
UEFA (Europe) – 12 teams:
- Automatic qualification: UEFA Champions League winners from 2021 to 2024.
- Ranking-based: The remaining spots were allocated based on clubs’ UEFA coefficient scores.
CONMEBOL (South America) – 6 teams:
- Automatic qualification: Copa Libertadores winners from 2021 to 2024.
- Ranking-based: The additional spots were allocated based on clubs’ four-year performance rankings.
AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONCACAF (North & Central America) – 4 teams each:
- Automatic qualification: Continental champions from 2021 to 2024.
- Ranking-based: The remaining spots were allocated based on clubs’ four-year performance rankings.
OFC (Oceania) – 1 team:
- Qualification: The highest-ranked club among the OFC Champions League winners from 2021 to 2024.
Host country (USA) – 1 team:
- Selection: Az Inter Miami CF csapata kapott helyet, mint a 2024-es MLS Supporters’ Shield győztese
The 2025 Club World Cup Teams
The 32-team field is as follows:
- Europe: Manchester City, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Benfica, Atlético Madrid, Juventus, Red Bull Salzburg, Porto, Borussia Dortmund
- South America: Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, Boca Juniors, River Plate, Botafogo
- Asia: Urawa Red Diamonds, Al Hilal, Ulsan HD, Al Ain
- Africa: Al Ahly, Espérance de Tunis, Wydad AC, Mamelodi Sundowns
- North & Central America: CF Monterrey, Seattle Sounders, Pachuca, Los Angeles FC (expected to replace Club León)
- Oceania: Auckland City
- Host country (USA): Inter Miami CF
Ranking Calculation Methodology
- UEFA:
- Win: 2 points
- Draw: 1 point
- Group stage qualification: 4 points
- Round of 16 qualification: 5 points
- Further stage qualification: 1 point per stage
- Other confederations (AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC):
- Win: 3 points
- Draw: 1 point
- Advancement in each stage: 3 points
Special Rules and Exceptions for Qualification
- Multi-club ownership: If two clubs belong to the same owner, only one of them can participate in the tournament. For example, Mexico’s Club León was excluded because it belongs to the same owner as the already qualified Pachuca.
- Country limit: A maximum of two teams from any given country can participate, unless multiple teams have become continental champions.
- Multiple wins: If a club won the continental competition multiple times, the remaining spots were allocated based on rankings.
Club World Cup Prize Money
In addition to the increased number of participants, FIFA is also trying to boost the Club World Cup’s prestige by massively increasing the tournament’s prize money. The total prize pool for the Club World Cup will be a record-breaking 1 billion US dollars, making it the highest-paying club competition.
The ultimate winner can pocket more than 100 million dollars, precisely 127 million dollars, thereby surpassing the previous record holder, the Champions League.