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The FIFA Club World Cup is set for a massive overhaul in 2025, expanding from its current seven-team format to a sprawling 32-team tournament held in the United States. While FIFA touts this expansion as a landmark moment for global club football, offering more teams a chance to compete on the world stage, a growing chorus of critics is labeling it a cynical "power grab" driven primarily by financial interests and potentially detrimental to player welfare.
So, who are the teams lining up to participate in this expanded and controversial competition?
Confirmed Teams So Far:
The qualification process is multi-faceted, with slots awarded based on continental performance and club rankings. As of October 2024, several teams have already secured their place:
-
Europe (UEFA):
- Chelsea (England) – Champions League Winner 2020-21
- Real Madrid (Spain) – Champions League Winner 2021-22
- Manchester City (England) – Champions League Winner 2022-23
- TBD – Champions League Winner 2023-24
- TBD – UEFA Ranking (based on performance over the last 4 seasons)
- TBD – UEFA Ranking
- TBD – UEFA Ranking
- TBD – UEFA Ranking
- TBD – UEFA Ranking
- TBD – UEFA Ranking
- TBD – UEFA Ranking
- TBD – UEFA Ranking
-
South America (CONMEBOL):
- Palmeiras (Brazil) – Copa Libertadores Winner 2021
- Flamengo (Brazil) – Copa Libertadores Winner 2022
- Fluminense (Brazil) – Copa Libertadores Winner 2023
- TBD – Copa Libertadores Winner 2024
- TBD – CONMEBOL Ranking
- TBD – CONMEBOL Ranking
-
Africa (CAF):
- Al Ahly (Egypt) – CAF Champions League Winner 2020-21
- Wydad AC (Morocco) – CAF Champions League Winner 2021-22
- TBD – CAF Champions League Winner 2022-23
- TBD – CAF Champions League Winner 2023-24
-
Asia (AFC):
- Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) – AFC Champions League Winner 2021
- Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) – AFC Champions League Winner 2022
- TBD – AFC Champions League Winner 2023-24
- TBD – AFC Champions League Winner 2023-24
-
North America (CONCACAF):
- Monterrey (Mexico) – CONCACAF Champions League Winner 2021
- Seattle Sounders FC (USA) – CONCACAF Champions League Winner 2022
- Club León (Mexico) – CONCACAF Champions League Winner 2023
- TBD – CONCACAF Champions League Winner 2024
-
Oceania (OFC):
- TBD – OFC Ranking
The Concerns:
The sheer size of the tournament raises several crucial questions. Will the quality of matches suffer as lesser-known teams are included? More importantly, the already packed schedules of top players are set to become even more demanding. Critics argue that this increased workload will lead to burnout and a higher risk of injuries, ultimately harming the players and the sport itself.
Furthermore, the concentration of power within FIFA, and the potential financial benefits for the organization, are fueling suspicions of a money-driven agenda. While the prospect of a truly global club competition is exciting, the potential consequences of this "power grab" need careful consideration to ensure the future health and integrity of football. The 2025 edition could be a watershed moment, for better or worse, shaping the landscape of club football for years to come.
Thus, we hope this article has provided valuable insights into FIFA Club World Cup 2025: A Disappointing 32-Team Power Grab?. We appreciate your attention to our article. See you in our next article!
