Learn how teams qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup. Full 2025 criteria by confederation, ranking system and qualified list explained.
How to Qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup: Explained for 2025 & Beyond
The FIFA Club World Cup has evolved dramatically. The 2025 edition marked the debut of the new expanded 32-team format, held in the United States from June 14 to July 13. With more spots and global interest at an all-time high, searches for “how to qualify for Club World Cup” spiked throughout the year.
This guide explains the qualification process for the 2025 tournament (now complete) and what to expect for future editions (every four years). Qualification was based on performances from 2021–2024 in continental club competitions.
Let’s break it down!
Overview of the Expanded Format
FIFA allocated 32 slots across confederations:
- UEFA (Europe): 12 teams
- CONMEBOL (South America): 6 teams
- AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONCACAF (North/Central America): 4 teams each
- OFC (Oceania): 1 team
- Host nation: 1 team (Inter Miami for 2025)
Teams qualified primarily as continental champions (2021–2024) or via a ranking system for additional spots.
Step-by-Step: How Teams Qualified for 2025
- Win Your Continental Championship – Champions from 2021–2024 automatically qualified (one per year per confederation).
- Ranking Pathway for Extra Spots – Remaining slots filled by highest-ranked teams (not already qualified) based on points from continental competitions over four years.
- Host Slot – Awarded to the top regular-season team in the host league (MLS Supporters’ Shield winners for 2025).
- Special Cases – One play-in match resolved a disqualification.
Qualification by Confederation
UEFA (12 spots)
- 4 champions (one per season) + 8 via ranking coefficient.
- Examples: Real Madrid (multiple UCL wins), Chelsea, Manchester City, Porto.
CONMEBOL (6 spots)
- 4 Copa Libertadores winners + 2 via ranking.
- Examples: Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense.
AFC/CAF/CONCACAF (4 each)
- Champions + ranking (or play-in if needed).
- Notable: Al-Hilal (Asia), Al Ahly (Africa), Monterrey, Seattle Sounders, LAFC (CONCACAF after play-in).
OFC (1 spot)
- Highest-ranked: Auckland City.
Host (1 spot)
- Inter Miami (MLS Supporters’ Shield 2024).
The 2025 Play-In Drama
Club León (Mexico) was disqualified for multi-club ownership rules. LAFC beat Club América 2-1 in a one-off play-in to take the final CONCACAF spot.
Qualified Teams for 2025 Club World Cup
Here are the 32 teams (final list):
- Europe: Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Porto, Benfica, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Salzburg.
- South America: Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, River Plate, Boca Juniors, Flamengo (wait, duplicates? Actual: Palmeiras, River Plate, Flamengo, Fluminense, Boca Juniors, etc.).
- Asia: Al-Hilal, Urawa Red Diamonds, Ulsan HD, Al Ain.
- Africa: Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca, Esperance Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns.
- North America: Monterrey, Seattle Sounders, Pachuca, LAFC.
- Oceania: Auckland City.
- Host: Inter Miami.
(The tournament featured stars like Messi, Ronaldo’s absence noted, etc.)
Future Club World Cups
The next is 2029. Qualification will likely follow similar pathways over 2025–2028, with adjustments based on feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How many teams qualify from Europe?
A: 12 – the most of any confederation.
Q: Can a team qualify multiple ways?
A: Champions take priority; rankings fill the rest without duplicates.
Q: Why was there a play-in?
A: Rare disqualification – resolved by one match.
Q: Is the host always automatic?
A: Yes for the expanded format.
Q: How are rankings calculated?
A: Points for wins/draws/advancement in continental tournaments.
Final Thoughts
The expanded FIFA Club World Cup brings the world’s top clubs together like never before, with qualification rewarding consistent continental success over four years. The 2025 edition in the US was a landmark event, blending champions and ranking pathways for fair global representation.
As the tournament returns every four years, clubs will chase spots through strong performances in their confederations. For fans, it promises exciting matchups and a true test of elite football.
Qualifying for the FIFA Club World Cup is now a multi-year achievement, rewarding consistent continental success. The 2025 edition was historic – watch for even bigger battles in 2029! Enjoy the journey! ⚽