The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is set to kick off on June 14 in the United States, marking the most ambitious edition yet. Expanded to include 32 teams from all continents, the tournament features global giants like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich, all battling for a record-breaking $1 billion prize pool.
But there’s one major name missing from the list: FC Barcelona.
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Despite an impressive season under new manager Hansi Flick, including a 4–3 win over Real Madrid and a near-domestic treble, Barcelona won’t be boarding the plane to the U.S. This exclusion isn’t about current form or star power—it comes down to a FIFA rule change and the harsh realities of European competition.
The Qualification Twist That Knocked Out Barça
FIFA introduced a new qualification format for this expanded edition. Teams earn their place based on a four-year performance cycle (2021/22 to 2023/24) in continental competitions, rewarding sustained excellence instead of one-off success. UEFA was allocated 12 spots, but no more than two clubs per country can qualify—unless more than two have won the Champions League during the period, which didn’t apply to Spain.
Here’s where Barcelona fell short:
While Real Madrid secured automatic entry by winning the Champions League twice (in 2022 and 2024), Atlético Madrid earned the second Spanish spot by outperforming Barcelona in UEFA’s four-year club coefficient ranking. Barcelona, meanwhile, failed to win the Champions League and had underwhelming showings in Europe across those seasons.
Their best recent run came this year, reaching the Champions League semi-finals before being eliminated by Inter Milan. Domestically, they looked dominant—sitting seven points clear atop La Liga after a thrilling win over Real Madrid. But European success, not domestic glory, was the deciding factor in Club World Cup qualification.
Bet on FIFA Club World Cup 2025What Barcelona’s Absence Means
Barcelona’s omission is significant. Historically, they’ve been one of the biggest brands in world football, having won the Club World Cup in 2009 and 2015. Missing out on this global stage means losing an opportunity for international exposure, prestige—and potentially lucrative sponsorships.
It’s also a wake-up call. Despite domestic dominance and a promising rebuild under Hansi Flick, Barcelona still has work to do to reclaim its place among Europe’s elite. The expanded Club World Cup rewards consistency, something Barça lacked over the past few years.
And then there’s Lamine Yamal—a rising star left without a stage. The 17-year-old prodigy, fresh off a stellar season and now a Euro 2024 champion, has also just won both the Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy. His absence is not about form, but legacy. Barça’s past failures in Europe have denied one of football’s brightest talents a golden opportunity to shine on the global stage. In a tournament where stars are made and remembered, Yamal will be watching from the sidelines.
Bet on FIFA Club World Cup 2025What to Expect from Club World Cup 2025
The revamped format includes group stages followed by knockout rounds, with representation from UEFA, CONMEBOL, CAF, AFC, CONCACAF, and OFC. With Barcelona out, Spain’s hopes rest solely on Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid. European powerhouses like Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Inter Milan are among the main contenders.
According to Opta’s tournament predictions, Paris Saint-Germain are considered slight favorites to win the title (18.5%), just ahead of Manchester City (17.8%), followed by Bayern Munich (12.8%), Inter (12.3%), and Real Madrid (9.8%). Interestingly, Chelsea also makes the top tier with 8.4%, showing the depth of competition from Europe.
Beyond UEFA’s dominance, dark horses like Al-Hilal and Inter Miami—boosted by home support and Lionel Messi—could cause upsets, though a European winner still looks most likely.
Who Else Is Missing from the 2025 Club World Cup?
Barcelona isn’t the only big name missing. Cristiano Ronaldo won’t feature after Al-Nassr failed to qualify, marking the end of his two-decade run in international club competitions.
Other stars left out include Neymar, still recovering after rejoining Santos, and Mohamed Salah, whose Liverpool side fell short in the UEFA rankings. Pedri also misses out for the same reason as Yamal.
Several top European clubs didn’t qualify either. Arsenal, Napoli, and Liverpool all missed the cut under FIFA’s new system, which values four-year continental performance and limits each country to two teams unless multiple Champions League wins are involved.
Bet on FIFA Club World Cup 2025Betting Outlook: Who Benefits from Barça’s Absence?
With Barcelona out of the mix, betting markets have adjusted. Real Madrid are clear favorites, with odds around 5.0, closely followed by Manchester City at 5.85. PSG, as the recent UEFA Champions League winner, offers value at odds near 6.2.
The absence of a perennial favorite like Barcelona means more open group stages and a greater chance of surprises. Bettors should watch out for emerging talents and upsets in the early rounds. Live betting could prove especially rewarding in tight fixtures, particularly involving lesser-known sides from Asia and Africa.
Top platforms like Betway, 1xBet, and Bet365 offer a wide range of markets, including top scorer bets, number of goals, clean sheets, and other props tailored for the tournament’s unique structure.
Bet on FIFA Club World Cup 2025What’s Next for Barcelona?
This setback doesn’t mark the end—it’s a signal for evolution. Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona is showing signs of a new era. Their priorities now include:
- Winning the UEFA Champions League in the next cycle
- Continuing domestic dominance in La Liga
- Investing in smart signings and youth development
- Rebuilding their UEFA coefficient to avoid future exclusion
Management faces mounting pressure to turn potential into trophies. With a squad filled with young talent and an experienced coach at the helm, Barça will aim to ensure that this is the last time they miss out on football’s biggest club stage.
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