This year will be the last Club World Cup in the old format. From 2025, everything will be new and much bigger – Bundesliga clubs can still hope to take part even without a title
FIFA has been fighting for this for a long time, but its dream will become reality the summer after next: a Club World Cup with 32 teams will take place for the first time in 2025, replacing the previous format – but it won’t die completely. The most important questions and answers
What will the Club World Cup format look like from 2025?
Instead of seven teams, as was the case this year, a full 32 teams will play for the FIFA Club World Cup title from 2025, but every four years instead of annually. The participating clubs will be divided into eight groups of four teams each – similar to the format last used for the “real” World Cup, which itself will be history from 2026 due to the increase to 48 countries. The group winners and runners-up will progress to the knockout round
When and where will the 2025 Club World Cup take place?
In the run-up to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, the USA was awarded the contract to host the 2025 Club World Cup. The matches will be played in June and July, venues and schedule have not yet been determined.
What will be the composition of the 32 teams at the Club World Cup from 2025 onwards?
UEFA (12 participants): The last four Champions League winners, plus the other eight best teams of the last four years
CONMEBOL (6 participants): The last four winners of the Copa Libertadores, plus the other two best teams of the last two years
CONCACAF (4 participants): The last four winners of the CONCACAF Champions League
CAF (4 participants): The last four winners of the African Champions League
AFC (4 participants): The last four winners of the Asian Champions League
OFC (one participant): The best team in the last four years in the Oceanian Champions League
Plus one club from the host country, although the criteria for this have not yet been determined.
If a club wins the Champions League title of its confederation more than once in the period in question, another team from the four-year table moves up. In addition, a maximum of two clubs per country may participate in the Club World Cup – unless more than two win the Champions League.
Who will take part in the 2025 Club World Cup?
Have already secured their places:
- FC Chelsea (Champions League winners 2021)
- Real Madrid (Champions League winners 2022)
- Manchester City (Champions League winner 2023)
- Palmeiras (Copa Libertadores winner 2021)
- Flamengo (Copa Libertadores winner 2022)
- Fluminense (Copa Libertadores winner 2023)
- CF Monterrey (CONCACAF Champions League winners 2021)
- Seattle Sounders (CONCACAF Champions League winners 2022)
- Club Leon (CONCACAF Champions League winners 2023)
- Al-Ahly (CAF Champions League winners 2021 and 2023)
- Wydad AC Casablanca (CAF Champions League winners 2022)
- Al-Hilal (AFC Champions League winner 2021)
- Urawa Red Diamonds (AFC Champions League winners 2022)
From Europe, FC Bayern or Inter Milan are also likely to have the very best chances – but FIFA or UEFA have not yet explained exactly what criteria will be used to compile the relevant club ranking for the specified four-year period. One thing is clear: the next Champions League winner will be in the USA. Of the Bundesliga clubs, FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund can also hope to take part. A maximum of two German clubs will receive a starting place for 2025
And what happens to the “old” Club World Cup?
This will not simply be replaced, but will continue to exist under a new, as yet unknown name and in a shortened form. From 2024, the reigning European Champions League winner will be seeded and will meet the winner of a mini-tournament of all Champions League winners from the other confederations in a final on neutral ground. Details, including the time and venue, are yet to be announced by FIFA.
