Atletico Madrid recently secured their slot in the upcoming 32-team Club World Cup, set to debut next year. Meanwhile, Arsenal faces a challenge in solidifying their qualification.
Barcelona’s elimination from the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain confirmed Atletico’s entry into the competition, despite their loss to Borussia Dortmund. This makes Atletico the 22nd team to secure a spot in the tournament, scheduled to take place across various American cities in June and July 2025. The event will feature clubs from all six confederations.
With 12 slots available for European teams, previous Champions League winners Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Chelsea have already secured their positions. Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Porto, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, and Juventus have claimed seven additional spots based on their Champions League performances over the last four seasons, including the ongoing campaign.
The victors of this year’s Champions League will secure one spot in the Club World Cup, with the next highest-ranked team on the qualification pathway, Atletico Madrid, joining them in the United States.
For Arsenal to qualify and contend for the title of world champions, their only route is to win this season’s Champions League, beginning with a victory over Bayern Munich in their quarter-final second-leg clash on Wednesday.
Failure to do so will see FC Salzburg claim the 12th and final European club spot in the competition. Despite being ranked lower than teams like Liverpool, Barcelona, and AC Milan, the Austrian champions can still qualify. This is because FIFA restricts countries to two entries unless they have multiple continental champions.
Notably absent from the tournament will be Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool, and AC Milan, as well as Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.
Since 2021, three Brazilian teams – Flamengo, Palmeiras, and Fluminense – have earned spots as Copa Libertadores winners. Argentina’s renowned rivals River Plate and Boca Juniors are poised to qualify as top-ranked teams from South America’s allocation of six entries.
Seattle Sounders, alongside Mexican clubs Club Leon and Monterrey, will be accompanied by another team from the CONCACAF region. Additionally, a US-based team is expected to qualify as part of the Club World Cup tradition, which includes the host nation’s champion.
In Asia, Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia and Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds have secured qualification. From Africa, Al Ahly of Egypt and Wydad of Morocco have earned their spots, while Auckland City of New Zealand will represent Oceania.
