The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 kicks off this weekend in the United States with 32 teams from six continents and the host nation. It marks the debut of a much-expanded tournament format that will be held every four years, and fans are eager to know: How did each team qualify? Here’s the full breakdown of all qualification pathways.
📌 Two Paths to Qualification
FIFA has introduced two main criteria for the Club World Cup 2025:
- Continental Champions: Winners of top confederation tournaments from 2021 to 2024.
- Four-Year Club Rankings: Best-performing clubs in continental competitions over four years.
🌍 Continental Champions (16 teams)
The following clubs qualified by winning their confederation’s top competition:
UEFA Champions League Winners (Europe)
- Chelsea (2021)
- Real Madrid (2022 & 2024)
- Manchester City (2023)
Copa Libertadores Winners (South America)
- Palmeiras (2021)
- Flamengo (2022)
- Fluminense (2023)
- Botafogo (2024)
AFC Champions League Winners (Asia)
- Al Hilal (2021)
- Urawa Red Diamonds (2022)
- Al Ain (2023 & 2024)
CONCACAF Champions League Winners (North America)
- Monterrey (2021)
- Seattle Sounders (2022)
- Pachuca (2024)
CAF Champions League Winners (Africa)
- Al Ahly (2021, 2023, 2024)
- Wydad Casablanca (2022)
OFC Champions League Winners (Oceania)
- Auckland City (2022, 2023, 2024)
📈 Qualified via 4-Year Club Ranking (14 teams)
These teams earned a spot based on consistent performance in their confederation’s club competitions from 2021 to 2024.
UEFA Clubs
- Bayern Munich
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Borussia Dortmund
- Inter Milan
- Atletico Madrid
- Juventus
- Porto
- Benfica
- Red Bull Salzburg
South American Clubs
- River Plate
- Boca Juniors
Asian Club
- Ulsan HD (South Korea)
African Clubs
- Esperance de Tunis
- Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
🇺🇸 Host Nation: 2 U.S. Teams
The United States, as host, gets two automatic representatives:
- Inter Miami — Qualified as Supporters Shield winners (best 2024 MLS regular season team).
- Los Angeles FC (LAFC) — Earned final spot after defeating Club América in a play-in match.
Note: Mexican side Leon was barred from the tournament due to dual ownership with Pachuca (both owned by Grupo Pachuca), allowing LAFC to enter as 2023 CONCACAF runners-up.
⚽ Global Tournament, Fierce Competition
With legendary clubs and underdog teams from every corner of the world, the 2025 Club World Cup promises drama, excitement, and controversy—especially with $1 billion in prize money at stake.
Will a non-European team break the monopoly? Or will the UEFA giants steamroll the competition?
