Why Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United Aren’t Playing in the Club World Cup
Some of Europe’s most prominent football clubs will be competing in this summer’s Club World Cup, yet Arsenal, Manchester United, and Liverpool will be noticeably absent.
The Premier League will be represented by Chelsea and Manchester City, who are traveling to the United States to vie for another major trophy. Joining them are top European clubs including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, and Atletico Madrid.
As the newly expanded tournament kicks off on June 14, here’s why three of England’s biggest teams won’t be involved in the 2025 Club World Cup.
Why Aren’t Manchester United, Arsenal, or Liverpool Competing?
Despite finishing as the Premier League champions, Liverpool won’t be part of this tournament. The same goes for runners-up Arsenal and a struggling Manchester United side that had a tough 2024-25 season.
According to FIFA’s qualification criteria, only clubs that won the UEFA Champions League over the past four seasons (2021 to 2024) earn automatic entry.
Chelsea and Manchester City qualified because they lifted the Champions League trophy in 2021 and 2023, respectively.
Have These Clubs Ever Played in the Club World Cup?
Yes—both Manchester United and Liverpool have previously won the Club World Cup. Arsenal, however, have never featured in the competition.
Before the 2025 expansion, the Club World Cup included only seven teams, with just one European club—the reigning Champions League winner—participating each year.
Arsenal’s lack of Champions League titles means they’ve never taken part. United competed in the 2008 edition after their 2007-08 Champions League win and went on to win the tournament, defeating LDU Quito in the final.
Liverpool qualified in 2019 after claiming the 2018-19 Champions League title. They also emerged victorious, defeating Flamengo in the final.
Club World Cup 2025 – Group Stage Lineup
Group A
Palmeiras – 2021 Copa Libertadores winners
Porto – Fifth-highest UEFA team by four-year ranking
Al Ahly – 2020/21 CAF Champions League winners
Inter Miami – 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield winners
Group B
PSG – Second-highest UEFA team by ranking
Atletico Madrid – Sixth-highest UEFA team by ranking
Botafogo – 2024 Copa Libertadores winners
Seattle Sounders – 2022 CONCACAF Champions League winners
Group C
Bayern Munich – Top UEFA-ranked eligible team
Auckland City – OFC’s top Champions League performer over four years
Boca Juniors – Second-best CONMEBOL team by ranking
Benfica – Seventh-highest UEFA-ranked team
Group D
Flamengo – 2022 Copa Libertadores winners
Esperance de Tunis – Top CAF team by four-year ranking
Chelsea – 2020/21 UEFA Champions League winners
Los Angeles FC – Play-in match winners
Group E
River Plate – Highest-ranked CONMEBOL team
Urawa Red Diamonds – 2022 AFC Champions League winners
Monterrey – 2021 CONCACAF Champions League winners
Inter Milan – Fourth-highest UEFA-ranked team
Group F
Fluminense – 2023 Copa Libertadores champions
Borussia Dortmund – Third-best UEFA team by ranking
Ulsan HD – AFC’s top-ranked team
Mamelodi Sundowns – CAF’s second-highest ranked team
Group G
Manchester City – 2022/23 Champions League winners
Wydad AC – 2021/22 CAF Champions League winners
Al Ain – 2023/24 AFC Champions League winners
Juventus – Eighth-highest UEFA-ranked team
Group H
Real Madrid – 2021/22 Champions League winners