In case there wasn’t enough football already, the revamped and expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will bring more action to our screens.
The competition, which will be held in the United States, will see the top nations from all six continental confederations duking it out in a World Cup format every four years.
Chelsea are one of the teams that will travel to North America in search of silverware in the new-look competition, which departs drastically from the Club World Cup that has preceded it in recent years.
But why are Chelsea, who finished sixth in the Premier League last season and without a trophy, competing at the 2025 Club World Cup?
Despite lackluster recent campaigns, Chelsea will take part in the 2025 Club World Cup. The reason for this is quite simple, with the four previous UEFA Champions League winners having secured qualification for the inaugural competition.
This means Chelsea’s success in 2020/21 has earned them a place in the competition and they are joined by European winners Manchester City and Real Madrid, who won the competition in 2022 and 2024.
Reports suggest that the qualifying clubs will earn €50 million to reach the tournament and the winner could earn up to €100 million. Chelsea aren’t strapped for cash, that’s for sure, but it’s a healthy bonus that will be used next summer.
The much-changed Club World Cup 2025 is almost unrecognizable from its predecessor. The tournament now features 32 teams from around the world as opposed to just seven teams in the previous iteration of the competition.
Teams will be drawn into four groups of eight and compete in a classic league table before entering the knockout rounds of the competition. All six federations will have at least one representative.
Previous Club World Cups have been held at the end of the calendar year, but the upcoming edition will take place between 15 June and 13 July 2025.
The Club World Cup was held annually and contested by Champions League winners from each confederation, but the new format will appear every four years.
The previous format of the Club World Cup was retained, however, it was renamed the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. The inaugural tournament takes place at the end of 2024 and is contested by the six continental Champions League winners.
All 32 teams have now qualified for the 2025 Club World Cup after Brazilian side Botafogo secured their place by winning the Copa Libertadores for the first time in its 123-year history. It is one of six CONMEBOL teams to join UEFA’s 12 clubs.
Auckland City is the sole OFC representative, while the AFC has four countries participating. CAF also has four teams participating, but CONCACAF has been awarded five spots in the competition – Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami earning their spot through host nation status and as the winner of the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield.
Every team that qualified for the 2025 Club World Cup
|
Club |
Confederation |
Nation |
|---|---|---|
|
Al Hilal |
AFC |
Saudi Arabia |
|
Urawa Red Diamonds |
AFC |
Japan |
|
Al Ain |
AFC |
United Arab Emirates |
|
Ulsan HD |
AFC |
South Korea |
|
Al Ahli |
CAF |
Egypt |
|
Wydad AC |
CAF |
Morocco |
|
You are Tunis |
CAF |
Tunisia |
|
Mamelodi Sundowns |
CAF |
South Africa |
|
Monterrey |
CONCACAF |
Mexico |
|
Seattle Sounders |
CONCACAF |
United States |
|
Leon |
CONCACAF |
Mexico |
|
Patsuka |
CONCACAF |
Mexico |
|
Inter Miami |
CONCACAF |
United States |
|
Palm trees |
CONMEBOL |
Brazil |
|
Flemish |
CONMEBOL |
Brazil |
|
Fluminense |
CONMEBOL |
Brazil |
|
Botafogo |
CONMEBOL |
Brazil |
|
River Plate |
CONMEBOL |
Argentina |
|
Boca Juniors |
CONMEBOL |
Argentina |
|
Auckland City |
OFC |
New Zealand |
|
Chelsea |
UEFA |
England |
|
Manchester City |
UEFA |
England |
|
Real Madrid |
UEFA |
Spain |
|
Bayern Munich |
UEFA |
Germany |
|
Paris Saint Germain |
UEFA |
France |
|
Entomb |
UEFA |
Italy |
|
Porto |
UEFA |
Portugal |
|
Benfica |
UEFA |
Portugal |
|
Borussia Dortmund |
UEFA |
Germany |
|
Juventus |
UEFA |
Italy |
|
Atletico Madrid |
UEFA |
Spain |
|
RB Salzburg |
UEFA |
Austria |
