Why aren’t Barcelona playing in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup?

The draw for the ‘new and improved’ 2025 FIFA Club World Cup takes place on Thursday (December 5), with 32 teams to contest the inaugural event in the United States between June 15 and July 13 next year. But while Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich will be among the expected participants, LaLiga giants Barcelona won’t be playing.

The Catalans have endured some turbulent times both on and off the field of late, despite winning LaLiga in 2022/23. That season, as well as in 2021/22, Barça were eliminated from the Champions League in the group stage, which is what has ultimately cost them a place in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.

How did teams qualify for the 2025 Club World Cup?

Qualification for the tournament varies by confederation (UEFA, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, CAF, AFC, OFC), although clubs either qualified by winning their confederation’s top club competition or due to their ranking within their confederation over the previous four-year period.

Europe provides 12 of the 32 participants, four of which are the winners of the four most recent Champions Leagues (between 2020/21 and 2023/24), while the other eight, in theory, come from the UEFA club rankings. However, because Real Madrid won the Champions League twice in that time, a ninth European club qualified based on their ranking.

Also important to note is that no more than two clubs from the same country are permitted, unless more than two clubs from that country won the Champions League in the last four years (which didn’t happen).

Barcelona’s Club World Cup absence explained

Madrid’s Champions League victories meant only one other Spanish team could qualify from the club rankings, which is Atlético Madrid. Diego Simeone’s team has outperformed Barcelona in European competition in the last four seasons, which means they are in the hat for the draw and Barça aren’t.

That Barcelona’s club ranking is higher than qualified clubs from other countries (Benfica, Juventus, RB Salzburg) is irrelevant due to the two-clubs-per-country rule, and the fact they haven’t won any of the last four Champions Leagues.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.