The transition in global soccer focus from European leagues to the Club World Cup can be quite jarring. FIFA President Gianni Infantino asserts that this event showcases “the 32 best club teams in the world,” yet notable champions from the UK, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Mexico, Argentina, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the US are absent.
This absence isn’t merely a mistake; it’s a deliberate aspect of the Club World Cup’s qualification process. The new format, running over four years from 2021 to 2024, rewards clubs based on their performance in continental competitions. The criteria were precise and clear (until an exception was made for Lionel Messi). The lineup includes teams like Real Madrid, PSG, Al Hilal, and Palmeiras, which shouldn’t detract from the need for reconsideration of the structure.
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However, these teams hardly represent the “32 best.” Even within specific regions, significant teams have been left out. As kickoff approaches, we reconsider the selection and create a lineup based on current team strengths.
Most of the recommendations stick closely to FIFA guidelines. This preserves the same regional quota, introducing a variety of teams into the tournament. With a few exceptions, we adhered to the limit of two clubs per region.
As a result, we’ve devised an ideal lineup consisting of more than half of the participants slated for the 2025 Club World Cup.
Europe
Liverpool (replacing Manchester City) – As the 2024-25 Premier League champions, Liverpool stands out, especially since other top English teams haven’t qualified. This is due to Chelsea and Manchester City winning the Champions League in 2021 and 2023, respectively.
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Arsenal (in place of Chelsea) – The EPL runners-up faced key injuries last season, particularly affecting their striker position. In this imagined scenario, they could fill that gap by utilizing the FIFA transfer window for the special Club World Cup.
Ramin Yamal leading FC Barcelona to a domestic double this season. (Photo by Gongola/Nuru Photo by Getty Images)
(Nul Photo via Getty Images)
Barcelona (replacing Atletico Madrid) – Consistently intriguing, Barcelona remains a valuable addition, especially following their dramatic loss to Inter Milan in the Champions League semifinals. Should Lamine Yamal and his teammates participate, they would surely catch the spotlight.
Real Madrid – Despite unmet expectations in Kylian Mbappé’s inaugural season, and with Carlo Ancelotti moving to Brazil, they maintain their status as Spain’s second-best team.
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PSG – A remarkable squad, PSG showcased their mettle in the Champions League finals. Although adapting to another major tournament within two weeks may be challenging, if anyone can manage it, it’s Luis Enrique and PSG, set to conquer America in global football.
Inter Milan – While they struggled against PSG, Inter remains firmly within Italy’s top two.
Napoli (replacing Juventus) – With two Serie A titles in three seasons, Napoli continues to shine, notably overcoming challenges faced by Manchester United’s Scott McTominay.
Bayern Munich – Regaining dominance in Germany post-2024 season, Bayern proves to be an elite team globally, aligning with their high standards.
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Borussia Dortmund – Underperforming Bayer Leverkusen, the 2024 Bundesliga champions, still secure a vital second spot for Germany. Meanwhile, Dortmund has consistently been one of the league’s top squads since the start of March.
Sporting CP (replacing FC Porto) – Sporting recently clinched a thrilling domestic double against rival Benfica in the Portuguese Cup final, showcasing impressive talent, including Swedish striker Victor Göckeres.
Benfica – While not the classic Benfica, they still made it to the last 16 of the Champions League and competed for a domestic double.
PSV (in place of RB Salzburg) – PSV stunned Juventus in the Champions League and currently tops the Eredivisie, leaving behind struggling Ajax.
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South America
Four out of six South American slots for the actual 2025 Club World Cup will feature teams from Brazil, as four different clubs have won the Copa Libertadores during this qualification period.
For this analysis, we’ll adjust the rules to accommodate two countries for a more equitable representation.
Palmeiras – A clear choice, deemed one of the most formidable non-European teams in the tournament.
Flamengo – With stars like Giorgian de Arrascaeta and European returnees Alex Sandro, Flamengo currently stands as one of Brazil’s top teams.
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Botafogo – While they’ve experienced departures of notable players, Botafogo’s achievements in 2024, including winning the league and claiming their first Libertadores title, affirm their qualification for the Club World Cup.
River Plate – The only straightforward choice from Argentina, despite the country’s ongoing challenges.
Boca Juniors – Historically a powerhouse, Boca’s recent performance has been below par, yet their iconic status continues to resonate, ensuring their competition in the Club World Cup remains significant.
Racing Club (in place of Fluminense) – The Argentine Primera is known for its unpredictability. With Vélez Sarsfield winning the 2024 edition, Racing’s consistent performance makes them a favorable choice.
Despite their season’s challenges, Club América would still draw attention at the Club World Cup. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
(AP News)
North America
Club América (in place of Pachuca) – The Eagles secured a consecutive Liga MX title but faced elimination recently. Despite offensive struggles, they remain the premier club in North America. (Their recent performance has raised doubts about their attacking capabilities.)
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Cruz Azul (in place of Monterrey) – Recently claimed their seventh Concacaf title, Cruz Azul is considered a balanced team and is positioned well as Mexico’s top squad, making them an excellent candidate for the Club World Cup.
Vancouver Whitecaps (instead of Seattle Sounders) – Vancouver reached the 2025 Champions Cup final, overcoming expectations set at the start of the season. Although they may not be the most talked-about team, they could perform surprisingly well at the Club World Cup.
Philadelphia Union (instead of LAFC) – Several candidates could fill this spot, but the Union’s consistent performance, leading the Eastern Conference, earns them a spot, reflecting a solid start to their 2025 season.
Asia
Al Hilal – They haven’t clinched the Saudi or Asian Champions League titles in 2024-25 but have dominated the continent for years. Their roster boasts several well-known names, coupled with substantial financial resources to bolster their team further.
Karim Benzema of Al Ittihad celebrating after winning the King Cup trophy. (Photo: Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
(Jastherfusch via Getty Images)
Al Ittihad (replacing Al Ain) – This Saudi club could compete strongly against other top teams, bolstered by high-profile players including Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté.
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Vissel Kobe (in place of Urawa Reds) – A strong performer in Japan, Vissel Kobe has outshone Urawa Reds, the current Club World Cup representative from the country.
Ulsan – Among the numerous non-Saudi options, Ulsan, a three-time Korean champion, merits a place in the reconsidered Club World Cup lineup.
Africa
Al Ahly – Leading Egyptian football, Al Ahly has captured numerous titles over the past five seasons, making them an immensely dominant squad in the Club World Cup landscape.
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Mamelodi Sundowns – This prominent South African club remains a formidable presence in domestic competitions and the CAF Champions League.
Pyramids (in place of Wydad) – Pyramids have emerged as a leading force in Egyptian football, competing robustly with the traditional best clubs.
Espérance de Tunis – Lacking a clear fourth choice, we opted for the reigning champions of Tunisia, noted for their consistent continental participation.
Oceania
Auckland City – Despite being minor players on the global stage, Auckland City remains the best team in Oceania, particularly given that New Zealand clubs typically compete in the Australian A-League.
Host Country
FIFA has allocated a position for the “Host Country Team.” While there remains uncertainty around how this spot will be filled leading up to the tournament, it was announced that Inter Miami would represent the United States after an announcement by Infantino on the last day of the MLS regular season.
Inter Miami – Despite facing challenges this season, Inter Miami is expected to be a strong contender, especially with Messi’s presence adding significant intrigue to the tournament.
Fan Take: The selection process for the Club World Cup has significant implications for soccer fans, as it shapes the teams that represent the sport on a global stage. The potential inclusion of iconic clubs and star players, especially Messi, could elevate the tournament’s profile and create thrilling matchups that fans eagerly anticipate.
