FIFA Club World Cup: Chelsea, Real Madrid, Al Ahly given automatic spots in 2025 edition
Chelsea, Real Madrid, Ah Ahly have been provided with a spot in the 2025 Club World Cup after changes were made to the competition format.
As it stands, the winners of the different continental competitions are provided with a place in the annual tournament, with the host nation also having an entry to make it eight teams.
Chelsea participated in last season’s tournament on the back of their 2021 Champions League triumph, and the Premier League giants would go on to win the competition for the first time in their history.
With the West Londoners struggling to qualify for next season’s Champions League, there appeared little prospect of Chelsea returning to the Club World Cup for the foreseeable future.
However, FIFA revealed on Tuesday that will change, with the tournament to be staged every four years with a different format from 2025 onwards.
Real Madrid on the other were also given a spot due to their success in Europe last season, where they beat Liverpool to win record extending 14th UCL title.
African giants Al Ahly will also participate in the all new edition alongside Wydad Athletic Club after winning the CAF Champions League in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
In a lineup which will feature 32 teams, UEFA will have 12 representatives, including Chelsea and Real Madrid courtesy of the success in 2021 with the 2022-23 and 2023-24 winners also participating.
The remaining eight teams will come from a UEFA four-year ranking list, which will be determined in due course.
Apart from Chelsea, Real Madrid and Ah Ahly, five other clubs have been confirmed for the 2025 edition, including Brazilian giants Palmeiras and Flamengo.
Al-Hilal, Monterrey and Seattle Sounders have also been rewarded for their respective continental performances since 2021.
The changes are subject to approval by the six confederations, while FIFPRO have concerns over more fixtures being added to the schedule, particularly at a time when players would have had a rare summer off in between Euro 2024, the 2024 Copa America and 2026 World Cup.
As it stands, a host nation has not been decided, but the United States, Canada and Mexico may be chosen in the year before they co-host the World Cup.
Since 2005, the tournament has only been staged in Japan, UAE, Morocco and Qatar, while the 2023 version will be held in Saudi Arabia.
