Anticipation is growing for the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, set to feature a new format. However, Liverpool will not be participating alongside fellow English clubs Manchester City and Chelsea.
FIFA has relaunched the Club World Cup, scheduled to take place in the summer of 2025 in the United States. The tournament will feature 32 teams divided into eight groups of four, leading to a four-round knockout stage.
While top clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea, Juventus, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain prepare to compete in this financially rewarding event, Liverpool will be watching from the sidelines.
Why Liverpool are not in Club World Cup 2025
Despite the move to a larger 32-team format, Liverpool did not qualify for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. This is primarily due to FIFA`s rule limiting participation to a maximum of two teams per nation, with exceptions for Champions League winners.
Both Chelsea and Manchester City secured their spots by winning the Champions League – Chelsea in 2020-21 and Manchester City in 2022-23. For European teams, qualification generally relies on their performance in the Champions League over a four-year period, starting from the 2020-2021 season.
Interestingly, Liverpool`s higher UEFA ranking compared to Chelsea wasn`t enough for qualification. Had they won the 2022 Champions League final against Real Madrid, they would have automatically qualified. Their UEFA ranking did, however, help Atletico Madrid secure a spot because Real Madrid qualified automatically by winning the Champions League twice in the relevant four-year cycle.
With no Club World Cup commitments, Arne Slot`s team will utilize the summer for their pre-season tour, reportedly in Asia. Liverpool`s next potential chance to participate in the tournament won`t arrive until 2029.
Qualified Teams for Club World Cup 2025: Full List
| Confederation | No. of teams | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| AFC | 4 | Al Hilal, Urawa Red Diamonds, Al Ain, Ulsan HD |
| CAF | 4 | Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca, Esperance de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns |
| CONCACAF | 4 | Monterrey, Seattle Sounders, TBD, Pachuca |
| CONMEBOL | 6 | Palmeiras, Fluminense, Flamengo, Botafogo, River Plate, Boca Juniors |
| OFC | 1 | Auckland City |
| UEFA | 12 | Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, PSG, Inter, Porto, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Red Bull Salzburg |
| CONCACAF (host) | 1 | Inter Miami |
Rupert Caldwell