
How have teams qualified for the Club World Cup?
With 12 representatives, Europe is sending more teams than any other continent, followed by South America with six.
Asia and Africa both have four competing teams, as does the CONCACAF region of North and Central America and the Caribbean.
In addition, there is one club from Oceania while the line-up is completed by a representative from the host nation.
There are two ways of qualifying for the tournament, which football's world governing body now intends to stage every four years -- either as continental champions or via a club ranking based on performances in continental competitions over a four-year period.
Continental champions
The following 16 teams qualified as continental champions over the period from 2021 to 2024:
UEFA Champions League winners: Chelsea (ENG/2021), Real Madrid (ESP/2022 and 2024), Manchester City (ENG/2023)
Copa Libertadores winners: Palmeiras (BRA/2021), Flamengo (BRA/2022), Fluminense (BRA/2023), Botafogo (BRA/2024)
AFC Champions League winners: Al Hilal (KSA/2021), Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN/2022), Al Ain (UAE/2023 and 2024)
CONCACAF Champions League winners: Monterrey (MEX/2021), Seattle Sounders (USA/2022), Pachuca (MEX/2024)
CAF Champions League winners: Al Ahly (EGY/2021, 2023 and 2024), Wydad Casablanca (MAR/2022)
OFC Champions League winners: Auckland City (NZL/2022, 2023 and 2024)
Best four-year rankings
The following 14 teams qualified via their performances in continental club competitions over the last four years:
Europe: Bayern Munich (GER), Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), Borussia Dortmund (GER), Inter Milan (ITA), Porto (POR), Atletico Madrid (ESP), Benfica (POR), Juventus (ITA), Red Bull Salzburg (AUT)
South America: River Plate (ARG), Boca Juniors (ARG)
Asia: Ulsan HD (KOR)
Africa: Esperance (TUN), Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)
Host representatives
That leaves two berths, both of which have gone to teams who will be playing on home turf.
Perhaps conveniently for FIFA as they look to get eyeballs on their new competition, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami are the designated representatives of the host nation.
That is after they won the Supporters Shield for being the best performing side during the 2024 MLS regular season -- even though LA Galaxy went on to win the MLS Cup to determine the overall champions.
Los Angeles FC claimed the last spot with a 2-1 extra-time victory against Club America of Mexico in a play-in match at the end of last month.
The spot became available following FIFA's decision to ban Mexican club Leon from the tournament.
Leon were barred because the club is owned by Grupo Pachuca, which also controls Liga MX side Pachuca, who are also taking part.
LAFC were given the chance on the basis of finishing as runners-up to Leon in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


France 24
10 hours ago
- France 24
After conquering Europe, PSG now have sights set on Club World Cup glory
"I think it is an incredible competition," PSG coach Luis Enrique said of the Club World Cup in the immediate aftermath of his team's UEFA Champions League triumph in Munich two weeks ago. "Our aim is to be competitive and try to win a fifth trophy of the season." The Qatar-backed French giants could be forgiven for wanting some time to bask in the glory of their 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in Munich which allowed them to finally win the Champions League for the first time in their history. There had been numerous agonising failures in Europe's elite club competition, as well as billions of euros spent on transfer fees on stars like Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, prior to captain Marquinhos raising the trophy aloft. "We have made history for the club, for the city and for the whole country," defender Lucas Hernandez told sports daily L'Equipe after the PSG squad paraded their trophy down the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, attended a reception with President Emmanuel Macron and celebrated with almost 50,000 fans at their Parc des Princes stadium. PSG have played 58 matches since last August and also swept all the available domestic trophies in France this season, as has become the norm in recent years. No time to stop But there is simply no time to stop and reflect. Many of their players, including Champions League final hero Desire Doue, spent last week on international duty before returning to their club and departing for Los Angeles, where they will begin their Club World Cup adventure this weekend. "The tournament itself is a really attractive prospect," Luis Enrique told "We have to strike the balance between managing the physical and mental fatigue we're experiencing now at the end of a long season and harnessing the motivation that comes with being involved in the competition." PSG's opening game will be against another European heavyweight as they take on Antoine Griezmann's Atletico Madrid at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, just outside Los Angeles, on Sunday. They will then also face South American champions Botafogo, of Brazil, before moving north to take on Seattle Sounders in their remaining Group B matches. Expected to qualify for the knockout phase without too many issues, PSG could end up playing a total of seven matches if they make it all the way to the final in New York on July 13 -- just a month before their scheduled first game of next season in the UEFA Supercup against Tottenham Hotspur. The strain of such a long campaign is telling, with Ousmane Dembele -- their top scorer this season with 33 goals -- struggling with an injury picked up playing for France last week. They did not manage to add any new players to their squad during the brief transfer window that opened at the start of this month ahead of the tournament -- reported interest in Bournemouth's Ukrainian defender Illia Zabarnyi did not turn into anything concrete. But the rewards for success in the Club World Cup are enticing and should be enough to keep Luis Enrique's squad focused on their objective, with up to a stunning $125 million in prize money on offer for the best performing European team if they manage to go all the way.


France 24
a day ago
- France 24
Club World Cup a test of Chelsea's elite credentials
Enzo Maresca's side beat Nottingham Forest in their last Premier League match to clinch fourth place after an inconsistent campaign, ending a two-season absence from Europe's top competition. The Blues, who reached FIFA's revamped and expanded event by landing a second Champions League triumph in 2021, have been handed a favourable opening raft of fixtures in the United States. Chelsea begin their Club World Cup campaign in Group D against Los Angeles FC, who battled through a play-off round against Club America to replace the disqualified Club Leon. After that opening fixture in Atlanta on Monday, Chelsea head north to face Brazilian team Flamengo and Tunisia's Esperance, both in Philadelphia. Los Angeles boast former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud, although the 38-year-old is not a regular starter. Flamengo, who qualified by lifting the Copa Libertadores in 2022, are coached by well-regarded former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis. Esperance have won eight of the last nine Tunisian league titles but are considered the weakest team in the group. In the knock-out rounds tantalising potential clashes against Bayern Munich and Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain may lie ahead. Chelsea won the competition in its previous format in 2022, beating Brazil's Palmeiras in the final. There will be special interest in how new Chelsea signing Liam Delap fares after his recent move from relegated Ipswich. The Blues beat Manchester United among other clubs in the race for the 22-year-old striker who netted 12 times in 37 top-flight matches and moved for £30 million ($41 million). Chelsea lacked firepower up front this season with Nicolas Jackson inconsistent and Christopher Nkunku struggling badly for form. Palmer introduction Delap, the son of former Stoke midfielder Rory Delap, came through the Manchester City youth academy like Chelsea's star player, Cole Palmer. The England international's revival towards the end of the season is a positive sign, with Palmer dazzling in the Conference League final win over Real Betis. The 23-year-old missed Chelsea's pre-season tour of the US last summer and Maresca said it was a chance for the playmaker to take the country by storm. "Palmer is up there with the very best top players who can produce something at any moment, create something out of nothing," said the coach. "He wasn't with me on the USA tour last summer, so it will also be a chance for him to experience the environment there and to introduce himself to North America." Beating Betis in Poland earned Maresca his first trophy as Chelsea manager and a deep run in the United States would be another sign that the Blues are heading in the right direction. On an upwards trajectory and with a young squad, Chelsea have plenty of potential to improve in the years to come. "(Critics) were saying that we were not able to win... because we're too young, because we're not experienced," said Maresca after sealing fourth place in the Premier League. "Unfortunately for them, they have all been wrong." Summer success is also important to the club's co-owners, US businessman Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital, with nearly £100 million on the line for the winners. While not among the set of top favourites, including English rivals Manchester City, 15-time European champions Real Madrid and PSG, Chelsea are still expected to reach the last eight. With fans not fully sold on Maresca's brand of possession football, and even Palmer saying he was "sick" of the ball going from side to side in the Conference League final, another trophy could help soothe any building tension in south-west London.


France 24
2 days ago
- France 24
Club World Cup a chance for MLS to shine: Giroud
LAFC are one of three MLS sides entered in the 32-team tournament which begins in Florida on Saturday when Lionel Messi and Inter Miami face off against Egyptian club Al-Ahly. The Seattle Sounders are the other MLS team in the tournament. Former France international Giroud, who joined LAFC last year after three seasons with AC Milan, told reporters on Thursday he believed MLS was underrated by the rest of the world. "It's a great opportunity for Seattle and Miami and Los Angeles Football Club to show the quality of the league," Giroud said. LAFC only forced their way into the Club World Cup via a hastily arranged playoff last month following the 11th hour expulsion of Mexican side Leon. The MLS side are grouped with Premier League giants Chelsea, Brazil's Flamengo and Tunisian side ES Tunis. LAFC will kick off the tournament against Giroud's former club Chelsea on Monday in a game that they will start as clear underdogs. Giroud though believes LAFC and other MLS teams may be able to spring a surprise against European clubs still feeling the after-effects of a gruelling season. "These European top European teams, they will maybe feel a bit tired after a long season so it may be an advantage," Giroud said. "It's always nice to stay positive. Some of them have played 60, 70, 75 games already so I think that's a good test for the MLS teams. We need to grab that chance to show Europe what we're made of." © 2025 AFP