If either Manchester United or Liverpool triumph in the Champions League next season, they face ineligibility for the revamped Club World Cup scheduled for 2025, as per reports.
FIFA, in an effort to revitalize its premier club competition, plans substantial changes following the ongoing 2023 edition in Saudi Arabia. The current structure, pitting continent champions annually, has faced challenges in broad appeal due to the consistent dominance of Champions League winners since its inception in 2000.
The upcoming semi-final clash in the Club World Cup features Manchester City against Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds, with the final contenders being Brazil’s Fluminense or Egypt’s Al Ahly. Looking ahead to the 2025 edition in the United States, FIFA intends to expand the tournament from seven to 32 teams, held every four years. The governing body plans to allow only two clubs per nation, with preference given to Champions League winners within a four-year period for entry.
England’s representatives, Chelsea and Manchester City, currently hold the two spots based on their Champions League triumphs in 2021 and their ongoing European success. However, FIFA’s consideration may change if more than two continental winners emerge from a nation in a qualifying period. Therefore, if Arsenal secures victory in this year’s Champions League, they would become eligible for the 2025 Club World Cup.
Teams like Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester United, Liverpool, or Tottenham are deemed unlikely participants due to their absence from the current Champions League knockout stages.
In a recent meeting in Jeddah, FIFA outlined the criteria for 2025 Club World Cup qualification. Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Chelsea secured spots based on their 2022 Champions League victories. Twelve European teams are set to participate, with nine others chosen based on Champions League performances since 2020. Confirmed entries include Benfica, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, and Porto.
Remaining teams such as Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig, Barcelona, Juventus, Napoli, Red Bull Salzburg, Lazio, Arsenal, Copenhagen, Real Sociedad, and PSV have the opportunity to secure berths by winning this year’s Champions League.
