FC Barcelona was one of the major absentees from the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, despite the tournament featuring 32 teams for the first time in history. It was a tough blow, especially after a season in which Hansi Flick’s side showed signs of progress in Europe. Now, the Catalan club knows exactly what it must do to avoid missing out again when the next edition takes place in 2029 — still with no confirmed host country.

How can a European team qualify for the Club World Cup?

UEFA clubs have two main paths to qualify under the new system: winning the UEFA Champions League, or collecting enough points in a cumulative ranking that spans from the 2024/25 season through 2027/28. Each win earns 3 points, draws are worth 1 point, and advancing to the next round also adds 3 points. Only matches from the group stage onwards count.

Each country can have a maximum of two clubs qualify, unless three different teams from that country win the Champions League during the qualification period — in which case, an extra spot opens. That means if Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid win titles and Barcelona doesn't, the Blaugrana's path becomes much more complicated.

What chances does Barça have after missing 2025?

Although Barcelona did not take part in the 2025 tournament in the United States, they did reach the Champions League semifinals in 2024 — their first appearance at that stage in over a decade. That run not only boosted morale but also earned valuable ranking points for the new qualification cycle.

The most straightforward route is, of course, to win the Champions League before 2028. But if that doesn’t happen, Barça must remain consistently competitive and reach the latter stages of upcoming European campaigns. Their performance over the next few seasons will be crucial in building a strong points total and avoiding dependence on external results.

Could Spain offer Barcelona another shot?

There’s one last possible lifeline: the host nation slot. If Spain wins the bid to host the 2029 Club World Cup — a race it shares with Brazil, Qatar, Australia, and the United States — then Barcelona could be invited as the local representative, similar to Inter Miami in 2025.

However, that outcome depends on non-sporting factors. Which is why Barcelona is now focused on a clear goal: returning to the top of world football, this time with a more defined roadmap.