FIFA has taken a historical turn to the Club World Cup formatwhich in 2025 will have for the first time with 32 teams in a tournament that will be held for four weeks in the United States.
This new approach has brought important changes in the classification criteria, and one of the great absent will be nothing less than the FC Barcelona. Despite its history and weight in world football, the Catalan club failed to ensure a place In this edition. Because? Here we explain it in detail.
FIFA Club World Cup: a new format with strict criteria
He Club World Cup 2025 It has expanded significantly with respect to their previous versions, which only included the champions of each Confederation and the team of the host country.
On this occasion, FIFA has distributed the places between the six confederations based on the accumulated yield between 2021 and 2024considering the results in the main club competitions.
In the case of the UEFAwhich is assigned 12 placesthe classification was determined as follows:
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The champions of the Champions League In seasons 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 they automatically classified.
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The remaining squares were granted to clubs with best UEFA coefficient during the period 2021-2024.
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In addition, a rule was applied that limits two clubs per countryunless more than two teams win the Champions in that cycle.
Barcelona was out for the rule of the two squares
Although FC Barcelona remained competitive both in LaLiga as in European competitions, failed to conquer the Champions League During the period evaluated or reached a sufficient coefficient to overcome its national rivals.
The two Spanish clubs that occupied the available squares were:
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real Madridchampion of the Champions in 2021-22 and 2023-24automatically classified.
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Atlético de Madridas the next Spanish team best positioned in the UEFA coefficient ranking, stayed with the second place assigned to Spain.
Due to the rule of Limit of two teams per countryFC Barcelona, despite having an enviable European record, It was excluded of the final list.
What implications does this absence have for Barcelona in the 2025 Club World Cup?
Being out of the 2025 Club World Cup is a Hard blow to sports image and ambitions of Barcelona. This tournament, which will be an unprecedented global showcase for participating clubs, represents a great opportunity both International prestige as of economic income.
In addition, it is an alert signal for the club: it is not enough to compete at the highest level, but it is necessary win or be consistently among the best In Europe to guarantee the presence in this type of event.
The importance of sustained performance
The new classification system makes it clear that clubs must maintain a sustained performance over several years. Merit is no longer measured by history or renown, but by concrete results In a certain period.
For teams such as Barcelona, this means that they must win prominence in Europe, especially in the Champions Leagueif they want to be present in future editions of the tournament.
Is there a second chance for Barça?
No, Barça will not play this edition. The squares are already assigned and FIFA does not contemplate repeascas or special invitations for the 2025 tournament. However, this edition could be the starting point of a New competitive cycleand Barcelona has everything to compete again in the next Club World Cup – if it manages to rebuild its European success.
The Absence of FC Barcelona at the 2025 Club World Cup It is not a product of chance or a bad time, but of the accumulated impact of not having achieved European titles or outstanding positions in the last three years. With the new FIFA format, only the most regular and successful will have their place in the world showcase.