FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Everything You Need to Know, Boet!
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The FIFA Club World Cup is getting a major revamp, and it's hitting the United States in 2025! Forget the annual tournament you knew; this is a once-every-four-years, month-long football feast featuring a whopping 32 teams. That's a massive upgrade from the previous seven-team format.
What's the Buzz About?
Even former FIFA president Sepp Blatter once called the old format a "mistake," so you know this revamp is a big deal. It's designed to be bigger, better, and more exciting for fans worldwide.
How Did Teams Qualify, Bru?
Teams from across the globe are battling it out for a spot, representing Asia (AFC), Africa (CAF), North and Central America (Concacaf), South America (Conmebol), Oceania (OFC), and of course, Europe (UEFA).
Most teams qualified by winning their confederation's version of the UEFA Champions League between 2020-21 and 2023-24. Oceania's spot goes to the best-performing winner over the four years.
Europe's Domination
Europe gets a hefty 12 spots, determined by Champions League performance over the qualifying period. Big names like Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Paris-St Germain are already in the mix. Other European teams qualified through a UEFA ranking system.
There's a rule though: only two clubs per country can feature, unless more than two win a confederation's premier club competition. Even Red Bull Salzburg (playing as FC Salzburg due to sponsorship rules) snuck in through their Champions League performance.
What to Expect, My China?
Get ready for a thrilling tournament packed with top-tier football action. With the expanded format and global representation, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup promises to be an unforgettable spectacle. Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament draws closer!