The revamped FIFA Club World Cup 2025 kicks off on June 14 in the United States, aiming to gather the best clubs on the planet. But two European powerhouses will be notably absent: Barcelona and Liverpool, despite winning domestic titles in recent years.

Why Did FC Barcelona Miss Out?

Despite claiming LaLiga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup during the 2024/25 season, Barcelona failed to qualify for the Club World Cup.

The reason? FIFA's limit of two clubs per country, combined with a qualification system based on UEFA Champions League performance over the last four seasons.

Barcelona’s early exits from the 2021/22 and 2022/23 UCL campaigns hurt their ranking. As a result, Real Madrid (Champions League winners) and Atlético de Madrid earned Spain’s two spots based on accumulated points.

What Happened to Liverpool?

Liverpool faced a similar fate. Despite dominating the Premier League and performing well in Europe, England’s two spots were already filled by Chelsea (UCL 2021 champions) and Manchester City (UCL 2023 winners).

The Reds had a strong season, but it wasn’t enough to secure a place among the 32 teams invited to FIFA’s most ambitious club tournament ever.

What Does Their Absence Mean?

Barcelona and Liverpool missing out has sparked criticism of the tournament’s format. FIFA’s model rewards consistency in Europe, but leaves out top-performing current teams, frustrating fans and diminishing star power.

Who Will Be There?

The tournament will feature elite clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea, PSG, Bayern Munich, and Flamengo, among others. Also present will be Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, who qualified by winning the Concacaf Champions Cup. They’ll face Al Ahly of Egypt in the opening match.

Still, the absence of clubs like Barcelona and Liverpool leaves a noticeable gap—one that even the brightest stars may struggle to fill.