World club ranking – What it Could Mean

The decision to expand the 2025 club football event format to a 32-team event will bring even more global representation to this prestigious competition.

With football’s global governing body desperate to drill into untapped markets worldwide, a new and robust World Club Ranking system has been integrated into the qualification process for the international club football tournament.

The aim is to give clubs in all continents a genuine pathway to competing on the biggest and richest stage.

Rules for the English Clubs in 2025  

Under the new competition rules, no more than two clubs can represent a nation at the tournament. English teams have filled their maximum quota, with Manchester City and Chelsea securing their places by winning the 2021 and 2023 Champions League titles.

The new World Club Ranking system handed direct qualification to all Champions League winners between 2020/21 and 2023/24.

Manchester City and Chelsea Represent England

Manchester City have been drawn in Group G of this summer’s Club World Cup. They have been joined by Italian giants, Juventus, along with Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca and Emirati club Al Ain.

With two teams qualifying for the knockout stages from each group, it feels like City and Juve will secure safe passages into the last 16, barring any disasters.

Meanwhile Chelsea are in Group D, alongside Brazilian outfit Flamengo, MLS franchise Los Angeles FC and Tunisian minnows ES Tunis.

Flamengo are likely to prove a tough nut to crack, sitting top of the Brazilian Serie A this season. However, LA FC and ES Tunis should be light work for Enzo Maresca’s Blues.

Liverpool and Arsenal – Top-Ranked but Absent

Four of the 12 Club World Cup qualification spots for European clubs were reserved for the Champions League winners between 2021 and 2024. Unfortunately for the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal, both Manchester City and Chelsea won European titles within this period.

Using the new World Club Ranking system, Liverpool would’ve been fifth in the next eight best-performing European clubs in the Champions League.

Since only two clubs per nation can qualify, tournament organisers had to work down the list and hand the 15^th best-performing European club in the Champions League – RB Salzburg – a shot at Club World Cup glory.

Premier League – The Challenge of Continental Glory

Liverpool and Arsenal aren’t the only Premier League clubs who will feel they could compete at Club World Cup level. The likes of Newcastle and Aston Villa have been in the Champions League of late and boast elite-level players in their ranks.

The two club per nation ruling means that Premier League clubs will increasingly go all out for Champions League glory to increase their chances of automatic Club World Cup qualification.

The Premier League is the most valuable and most-watched domestic football league in the world. It attracts many of the world’s best players and coaches too. Restricting the Club World Cup to just two Premier League entrants may be considered dumbing down the competition, but it’s important if the inclusivity mission is to succeed.

A New Era of Club Inclusion

The 2025 Club World Cup is shaping up to be a unique event. Expanding from seven to 32 teams, the tournament now mirrors the format of the World Cup for national teams. For the first time, all continents will be represented with multiple clubs. Hosted in the U.S. from June 15 to July 13, this edition promises a truly global football celebration.

From Seven to 32 – A Global Expansion

The planning for this expansion has been on the cards since the mid-2010s. Until now, the international club football tournament featured just six continental champions and the host nation’s representative. In 2025, 32 teams will be divided into eight groups of four. Odds will vary widely, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stages. This setup allows for broader participation and a more exciting, inclusive spectacle.

A Global Football Festival

Not every continent will have the same number of representatives. Each confederation will send a different number of teams, based on strength. Still, the organisation believes the expansion adds value. The new format brings together clubs from around the world, celebrating football skill, culture, and style on a truly global stage.

Representation Across Continents

The revised format ensures that more clubs from emerging football nations—like those in Africa and Asia—can take part. North America will also have multiple spots, while Oceania gets one. This diversity introduces new talent and matchups, with vastly different football upbringings, making the tournament more compelling than ever.

The Paradox of the IFFHS Rankings

You’d expect the world’s top clubs to headline the event, but that’s not always the case.

The IFFHS’s latest ranking of the world’s 500 best clubs doesn’t align with the 2025 Club World Cup’s roster. Four of the top ten teams—including giants like Liverpool and Barcelona—won’t be there. The top ten includes Real Madrid, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Manchester City, Botafogo, Liverpool, Barcelona, Dortmund, Flamengo, and Inter.

Four Big Names Will Miss Out

These teams are absent because the IFFHS ranking only reflects recent form. The qualification criteria prioritise titles won in continental competitions, not global rankings. So, despite their success, clubs like Liverpool and Barcelona missed out due to their lack of recent Champions League trophies.

The Club World Cup Qualification System

The international club football tournament will now be held every four years, in the year preceding the World Cup. This long-term cycle means qualification is based on club achievements over a four-year span.

Titles and Consistency Matter

Winning a continental title guarantees a spot. But consistent performance over four seasons can also earn a team a ticket. This approach avoids both fluke entries and unjust exclusions.

Fair Opportunities Across the Board

Even surprise Champions League winners will have their place, while teams that show steady improvement are rewarded, even if they haven’t lifted a trophy. This system promotes a balanced, competitive environment.

A Fresh Take on Global Football

Clubs like Seattle Sounders (USA), Al Ahly (Egypt), and Urawa Reds (Japan) wouldn’t typically have qualified under the old system. Now, they can face the world’s biggest teams and gain invaluable experience—even if they remain long shots in outright odds for the competition.

Opening New Markets

Including lesser-known clubs boosts the tournament’s global commercial appeal. The organisation is tapping into new markets by giving more exposure to clubs previously outside the spotlight.

New Rivalries and Challenges

As clubs from different cultures and styles clash, we’ll see new rivalries emerge. Over time, these matchups could grow into new iconic duels that future generations of football fans will be itching to watch.

A Lesson in Global Ambition

This edition is a reminder that success requires global recognition. Any team aiming for another appearance at the global football event will need to raise their level. And that can only benefit football as a whole.