The much-anticipated 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, set to run from June 15 to July 13 in the United States, marks the beginning of a new era in global club football. Featuring 32 top teams from around the world, the event is expected to be a massive spectacle. Yet, major English clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United won’t be part of it.
A New Format with Strict Rules
The restructured Club World Cup will now be held every four years, similar to the FIFA World Cup, with UEFA contributing 12 of the 32 teams. Participation is tightly controlled by FIFA’s qualification system, which allows a maximum of two clubs per country—unless three or more from the same country win their continental tournament within the 2021–2024 period.
How English Teams Qualified
For European teams, winning the UEFA Champions League during the qualifying window guarantees a place in the tournament. England’s two slots have gone to Manchester City (2022/23 Champions League winners) and Chelsea (2020/21 winners). As a result, no other English club could join—even those with strong recent performances.
Why Liverpool Missed Out
Despite strong European showings—including a Champions League final in 2022—Liverpool failed to win the competition during the qualification period. With City and Chelsea already claiming England’s spots, Liverpool was edged out.
Manchester United’s Shortfall
United, too, didn’t do enough. Although they had notable domestic success and Champions League appearances, they didn’t win a European title in time to secure qualification. Their resurgence under Erik ten Hag came just a bit too late.
Arsenal’s Near Miss
Arsenal had a slim chance but needed to win the 2023/24 Champions League. They were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Bayern Munich, ending their hopes.
The Two-Team Limit: A Point of Contention
The restriction of only two clubs per country has sparked criticism. Top leagues like England often have multiple high-performing teams, but only two can participate. This means several deserving clubs are left out while others from weaker leagues get in more easily.
Other Notable Absentees
The issue isn’t limited to English teams. Barcelona missed out due to Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid taking Spain’s spots. Similarly, clubs like AC Milan, Napoli, and RB Leipzig also didn’t make the cut despite strong performances.
Champions League Wins Hold the Key
The surest way to qualify is by winning the Champions League. Clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and PSG secured their spots this way. Other teams were selected based on FIFA’s UEFA ranking criteria—but even that had limits.
Tournament Format and Hosting
Twelve UEFA teams will compete in the tournament, the most of any confederation. The event will feature eight groups of four, with the top two from each progressing to the knockout stage. Matches will be played across major U.S. cities including New York, Miami, LA, Atlanta, and Dallas.
Missing Out: Financial and Strategic Costs
For Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United, not qualifying is a major financial blow, as the tournament offers substantial income through broadcasting, sponsorship, and ticket sales. Beyond that, it’s a lost opportunity for global visibility and growth.
Time for Reflection and Action
The snub acts as a wake-up call. Moving forward, clubs will need more than domestic success—they must excel in Europe to secure their place on the world stage. Fans are understandably upset, and many blame club leadership, UEFA, or FIFA for the outcome.
Looking Ahead to 2029
These clubs now have four years to regroup and aim for the 2029 edition. The road to redemption starts immediately
