The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, will see a new 32-team format. However, three of the Premier League’s most prominent clubs—Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United—will not be taking part.
FIFA’s Entry Rules
FIFA introduced strict qualification criteria for the tournament. Each country is allowed a maximum of two participating clubs, unless three or more teams from the same nation win their continental championship—such as the UEFA Champions League—during the four-year qualification period (2021–2024).
For England, Manchester City and Chelsea booked their spots by winning the Champions League in 2023 and 2021 respectively. Since only two English clubs can qualify under these rules, Liverpool and Manchester United were left out despite their strong European pedigree.
Arsenal’s Missed Opportunity
Arsenal had a slim chance to qualify. If they had won the 2023/24 Champions League, they would have secured a spot in the tournament. But their elimination in the quarter-finals by Bayern Munich ended those hopes. With that, they too missed the cut.
Other Major Teams Affected
This two-club-per-country rule impacted other high-profile clubs across Europe. For example, Barcelona failed to qualify because Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid claimed Spain’s two available slots. Clubs such as AC Milan, Napoli, and RB Leipzig also missed out despite competitive performances.
The New Club World Cup Format
The 2025 edition is a major expansion of the tournament, now held every four years and featuring 32 clubs from all six football confederations. UEFA will be represented by 12 teams, including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG, Juventus, and Inter Milan—chosen based on Champions League wins and club rankings.
Despite the notable absence of English giants like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United, the event is expected to deliver a high level of competition and global football excitement.