MLS has recently done a great job of shaking off the “retirement home” label with the introduction of seven times Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi. The transfer of the decade is attracting big stars to come to the league.
The move to US soil is really important for soccer stars as the country is going to see some major soccer events take place in the upcoming years. It has already been confirmed that the US will be hosting the 2024 Copa America, and now, FIFA has announced that the 2025 Club World Cup will be taking place on American soil as well.
FIFA announced first ever 32-team 2025 Club World Cup to be hosted on US soil
FIFA has reformatted the Cub World Cup for 2025, with the tournament adopting a new 32-team format that will take place every four years.
A statement released on FIFA’s official website states:
“The FIFA Council has unanimously approved the key principles of the new 32-team FIFA Club World Cup™, which will be played every four years as of June 2025. The last edition of the tournament to be played with the old format will take place in Saudi Arabia in December 2023.”
“In February 2023, FIFA set out the following key principles of access for the 32 qualifying teams, with host countries to be decided.”
Coming to America:
▪️ 2024: Copa America
▪️ 2025: Club World Cup
▪️ 2026: World Cup— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 23, 2023
How many teams will qualify from each continent?
Here’s a list of participants from each part of the world, according to FIFA’s official website:
UEFA
12 clubs (UEFA Champions League winners between 2020-21 and 2023-24 and eight other teams to be determined by a club ranking based on the same four-year period).
CONMEBOL
Six clubs (Copa Libertadores winners between 2021 and 2024 and two other teams to be determined by a club ranking based on the same four-year period).
Concacaf
Four clubs (Concacaf Champions League winners between 2021 and 2024).
AFC
Four clubs (AFC Champions League winners between 2021 and 2024).
CAF
Four clubs (CAF Champions League winners between 2021 and 2024).
OFC
One club (the highest-ranked club from among the OFC Champions League winners between 2021 and 2024).
Host country
One (access for the club occupying this slot will be determined at a later stage).
Here’s a list of teams that have already qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025:
UEFA: Real Madrid (Spain), Manchester City (England), Chelsea (England)
CONMEBOL: Palmeiras (Brazil), Flamengo (Brazil)
AFC: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)
CAF: Al Ahly (Egypt), Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco)
CONCACAF: C.F. Monterrey (Mexico), Seattle Sounders (USA), Club Leon (Mexico)
The 2025 Club World Cup is going to be 🌶️🥵 pic.twitter.com/RIr3QXxbba
— 433 (@433) June 23, 2023
With the confirmation of the 2024 Copa America and the recent announcement that the 2025 Club World Cup will be hosted in the US, soccer enthusiasts can anticipate an exciting future for the sport in the country. The reformatting of the Club World Cup to include 32 teams every four years adds another layer of anticipation and competition, drawing top clubs from various continents.
What’s your take on this new format of the FIFA Club World Cup? Share your opinions down in the comments.
