Why Barcelona WILL NOT play in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup! Full list of qualified teams

By: Shawn
‎The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which features 32 teams from around the globe, will proceed without Barcelona's participation. This year's tournament, expanded to accommodate teams from all major football confederations—AFC, CAF, Concacaf, OFC, and UEFA—will be held across the United States.
‎
‎FC Barcelona's 'Robert Lewandowski.'
‎Getty Images Sport
‎
‎Among the 32 qualified teams, 12 hail from Europe, including the most recent UEFA Champions League winners: Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Chelsea. The remaining European teams were selected based on a ranking system considering their performances over the last four seasons. However, a significant restriction limits each country to two qualifying teams. As Real Madrid secured automatic entry due to their two Champions League victories in 2022 and 2024, only one other Spanish club could join.
‎
‎Despite Barcelona's La Liga title in 2023, their lackluster performances in recent Champions League campaigns—where they were eliminated in the group stage twice and reached the round of 16 once—meant they were surpassed by Atlético Madrid. Atlético, although also experiencing a group stage and round of 16 exit, had a stronger showing, advancing to the quarterfinals in both 2022 and 2024. This earned them a spot in the competition, while Barcelona was left out.
‎
‎This rule, which limits each nation to two clubs, also affected Liverpool’s qualification. With Manchester City and Chelsea having automatically secured their places as Champions League winners, no other English club was eligible for the 2025 edition.
‎

Comments

Post a Comment

TRENDING!

‎SUSPENDED! Enzo Maresca hit with touchline ban after wild Chelsea celebration at Fulham

Image
‎Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca will be absent from the touchline for the Blues’ next Premier League fixture after receiving a one-match suspension. The ban follows his exuberant celebrations during Chelsea’s thrilling 2-1 comeback win against Fulham at Craven Cottage. ‎ ‎' Enzo Maresca. ' ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎The west London derby delivered late drama, with Chelsea turning the game on its head in the final moments. Trailing with under ten minutes remaining, the Blues levelled through Tyrique George before Pedro Neto netted a 93rd-minute winner, sparking wild scenes among the Chelsea contingent. ‎ ‎Maresca, unable to contain his emotions, left the technical area and joined in the celebrations that spilled onto the pitch. The passionate reaction earned him a yellow card from referee Anthony Taylor—his third of the season—triggering an automatic one-match suspension under Premier League rules. ‎ ‎“It was a beautiful moment,” Maresca explained post-match. “We fough...
Read more

‎Manchester United put ENTIRE squad on transfer list amid Sir Jim Ratcliffe's drastic financial overhaul

Image
‎Every player at Manchester United has reportedly been made available for transfer, marking one of the most dramatic restructuring efforts in Premier League history. The sweeping move comes as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS co-ownership group initiate aggressive cost-cutting measures in response to financial strain and on-pitch failure. ‎ ‎ Man Utd put entire squad up for sale as Sir Jim Ratcliffe's cost-cutting begins. Fernandes, Rashford, Garnacho & more could exit Old Trafford. ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎The 2024–25 campaign concluded in crushing disappointment for the Red Devils, who suffered a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final. That result denied them both silverware and Champions League qualification—an outcome that cost the club a potential £100 million boost in revenue. ‎ ‎United’s fall to 16th in the Premier League has further deepened the crisis at Old Trafford. Share values have reportedly plummeted by 60 percent, prompting the INEO...
Read more

Man City Pick Real Madrid Star as Jack Grealish Replacement

Image
‎Manchester City are preparing a major move in the transfer market, with Real Madrid forward Rodrygo emerging as a leading candidate to replace Jack Grealish. ‎ ‎ Man City are weighing a €100m move for Rodrygo as Guardiola eyes fresh attacking options, with Grealish’s exit and Tottenham's Savinho bid in motion. ‎Getty Images  ‎ ‎Fabrizio Romano reports that City view Rodrygo as a top target, describing the Brazilian as Pep Guardiola’s “dream” signing. The potential transfer is expected to be valued around €100 million (£87m/$109m). City are in the midst of reshaping their squad, with Grealish linked to a loan switch to Everton and Savinho attracting interest from Tottenham. At Real Madrid, Rodrygo’s role has drawn attention, especially after he appeared to feel underappreciated last season. Under new manager Xabi Alonso, he has not consistently featured in either the Club World Cup or pre-season matches. ‎ ‎ ' Rodrygo. ' ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎City’s pursu...
Read more

‎Eberechi Eze’s Free-Kick for Crystal Palace Disallowed After VAR Controversy Against Chelsea

Image
‎Crystal Palace faced controversy as Eberechi Eze’s thunderous free-kick against Chelsea was disallowed following a VAR review at Stamford Bridge. The England international initially believed he had given his team the lead in the Premier League opener. ‎ ‎ Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze saw his thunderous free-kick against Chelsea disallowed after VAR ruled Marc Guehi’s wall infringement, sparking Premier League controversy. ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎Eze’s free-kick powered through Chelsea’s defensive wall, beating goalkeeper Robert Sanchez with remarkable force. He celebrated immediately, convinced of the strike’s impact, only for referee Darren England to consult the pitch-side monitor. The goal was subsequently ruled out, leaving players and fans visibly frustrated. ‎ ‎The disallowed goal centered on the positioning of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. Referee England determined that Guehi stood within one metre of Chelsea’s wall and pushed Moises Caicedo, obstructing ...
Read more

Enzo Fernandez Salary: How Much Does Chelsea Star Earn Per Week and Annually in Premier League?

Image
‎Enzo Fernandez has quickly become a central figure in Chelsea’s evolving midfield since his high-profile arrival from Benfica in early 2023. After making headlines with his standout performances during Argentina's 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph, the London club secured his services with a record-breaking transfer fee that underlined their faith in his long-term potential. ‎ Explore Enzo Fernandez’s Chelsea salary, how much he earns weekly and annually, and where he ranks among the Premier League’s top-paid stars. ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎Following his move to Stamford Bridge, Fernandez signed a contract that runs until 2032. The financial terms of that deal position him among Chelsea’s highest earners. ‎ ‎Here’s how much Enzo Fernandez earns at Chelsea: ‎ ‎• Weekly salary: £180,000 ‎ ‎• Annual salary: £9,360,000 ‎ ‎• Equivalent in USD (gross): $238,935 weekly / $12,424,613 annually ‎ ‎These figures place him as the fifth-highest earner at the club, ahead of several key teammat...
Read more

Alabama football's woeful start leads to loss vs Michigan in ReliaQuest Bowl

Image
Alabama football's first quarter transformed the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl into something very different from what Kalen DeBoer had envisioned. Fifteen plays. Two total yards. Three turnovers in the middle of a downpour at Raymond James Stadium. A 16-point deficit is the largest first-quarter deficit the Crimson Tide has had in the last 12 years. Alabama Crimson Tide tight end Robbie Ouzts ( 45 ) celebrates with tight end CJ Dippre ( 81 ) after scoring a touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines in the second quarter during the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images Alabama just played themselves into "a hole," Alabama's coach said. "All of a sudden it takes on another game of its own because you are down 16-0," DeBoer remarked following Alabama's 19-13 defeat to Michigan. "You're just fighting and scrapping just trying to give yourself a chance like we did at the very end." In the first qua...
Read more

Marc Guiu Joins Sunderland on Loan as Black Cats Build Premier League Survival Bid

Image
‎Sunderland have secured the loan signing of Chelsea striker Marc Guiu, continuing an aggressive summer transfer campaign aimed at establishing Premier League stability. ‎ ‎ Chelsea’s Marc Guiu joins Sunderland on loan, boosting the newly-promoted club’s Premier League hopes after signing Granit Xhaka earlier this week. ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎The 19-year-old Spanish forward arrives on a season-long loan without an option to buy, according to reports by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. His move follows the club’s high-profile capture of Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen, underlining Sunderland’s ambition ahead of their top-flight return. ‎ ‎Guiu joined Chelsea from Barcelona in 2024 for a fee believed to be around €6 million. Though he has found the net six times in 16 appearances, most of his minutes came in the UEFA Conference League. Premier League opportunities were limited, with the teenager making just three appearances last season under manager Enzo Maresc...
Read more

Tyson Fury announces retirement from boxing amid talk of Anthony Joshua fight in 2025 — 'It's been a blast'

Image
Tyson Fury, former world heavyweight champion, has announced his retirement from boxing. Fury last fought in December, losing a rematch with WBA (Super), WBC, and WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk. The 36-year-old Fury had previously proclaimed his retirement after beating Dillian Whyte in April 2022, but returned six months later. Tyson Fury press conference after second Oleksandr Usyk defeat. Getty Images The Briton has been heavyweight champion twice and has a record of 34 wins, two losses, and one draw. "Hi everybody, I'm going to make this short and sweet," Fury said. "I'd like to announce my retirement from boxing, it has been a blast, I've loved every single minute of it and I'm going to end with this; Dick Turpin wore a mask." In 2015, the Briton stunned long-time world champion Wladimir Klitschko by winning the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles. After more than two and a half years out from the ring to deal w...
Read more

Real Madrid Reject Vinicius Jr's Demand for Mbappe-Level Salary Amid Contract Stalemate

Image
‎Real Madrid face mounting uncertainty over Vinicius Junior’s future at the Santiago Bernabéu as contract negotiations remain at an impasse. The Brazilian winger’s demand for a salary equal to Kylian Mbappe’s has been firmly declined by the Spanish giants, casting doubt on whether Vinicius will extend his stay beyond 2027. ‎ Real Madrid stall Vinicius Jr’s contract talks by refusing Mbappe-level wages as exit rumors intensify ahead of 2027 contract deadline. ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎Current reports indicate that Vinicius Jr earns approximately €15 million net per season, a figure he insists matches Mbappe’s wages before agreeing to a new deal. However, Madrid’s refusal to meet this demand is largely driven by the financial gap created by Mbappe’s overall compensation package, which includes a substantial signing bonus, raising his effective annual pay to around €23 million. ‎ ‎This salary disparity represents a near 50 percent increase from Vinicius’s current contract, a...
Read more

Why Chelsea Are Signing Ajax Wonderkid Jorrel Hato—Europe's Next Elite Defender

Image
‎Chelsea’s aggressive summer rebuild is showing no signs of slowing, and their next addition may be the most exciting yet. Ajax’s teenage sensation Jorrel Hato is set to join the Blues for an initial £37 million fee—a strategic investment in a player many believe is destined to become one of Europe’s elite defenders. At just 19, Hato already boasts over 100 senior appearances and captained Ajax through chaos with the poise of a veteran. ‎ Chelsea are closing in on Ajax’s Jorrel Hato—an elite 19-year-old defender ready to join Maresca’s revolution and anchor the Blues' backline. ‎Getty/GOAL ‎ ‎The move signals clear intent from Chelsea’s hierarchy. After lifting the Club World Cup and bringing in talents like Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, and Mamadou Sarr, the acquisition of Hato adds another high-ceiling player to Enzo Maresca’s defensive unit. Known for his tactical intelligence and progressive style, Maresca will value Hato’s comfort in possession, ability to break lines, a...
Read more