Liverpool have kick-started the Arne Slot era in perfect fashion, being crowned Premier League champions in the Dutchman’s debut season in charge at Anfield. Most pundits would have predicted a year of transition following Jurgen Klopp’s departure, but the seamless nature with which Slot has taken to life on Merseyside has shocked and surprise many a people.
The continued excellence of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, the greatness of Alisson in goal, and the mercurial talent of midfield maestro Alexis Mac Allister have all combined to deliver one of the finest seasons in Liverpool history. But while celebrations over winning the title will run for a while, one trophy they will not be getting their hands on this summer, is the FIFA Club World Cup.
Club World Cup 2025 Format and Teams Qualified
Three English giants will be absent from the new tournament that will take place in 2025.
Revamped in its format and pitting some of the best teams in world football against each other, it promises to be one of the most exciting editions of the competition in recent memory. But, Slot’s Liverpool will not be a part of the action. Below is everything you need to know why the 2024/2025 Premier League champions will be missing from the Club World Cup this summer.
Why Liverpool Did Not Qualify for the Club World Cup
As aforementioned, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will feature 32 teams for the first time in competition history. However, FIFA have restricted it to allow only two clubs from the same country to be a part of the tournament. In the Premier League’s case, it will be Manchester City and Chelsea who will be flying the flag for English football.
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Club World Cup Winners List |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Year |
Winner |
Runner-Up |
|
2000 |
Corinthians |
Vasco da Gama |
|
2005 |
Sao Paulo |
Liverpool |
|
2006 |
Internacional |
Barcelona |
|
2007 |
AC Milan |
Boca Juniors |
|
2008 |
Manchester United |
LDU Quito |
|
2009 |
Barcelona |
Estudiantes |
|
2010 |
Inter Milan |
TP Mazembe |
|
2011 |
Barcelona |
Santos |
|
2012 |
Corinthians |
Chelsea |
|
2013 |
Bayern Munich |
Raja Casablanca |
|
2014 |
Real Madrid |
San Lorenzo |
|
2015 |
Barcelona |
River Plate |
|
2016 |
Real Madrid |
Kashima Antlers |
|
2017 |
Real Madrid |
Gremio |
|
2018 |
Real Madrid |
Al-Ain |
|
2019 |
Liverpool |
Flamengo |
|
2020 |
Bayern Munich |
Tigres UANL |
|
2021 |
Chelsea |
Palmeiras |
|
2022 |
Real Madrid |
Al-Hilal |
|
2023 |
Manchester City |
Fluminense |
Qualification for this summer’s tournament was determined by a team’s performances in the Champions League from a four-year cycle starting from the 2020/2021 season. Chelsea and Man City both won European football’s biggest prize within that time frame, with the Blues doing so in 2021, while Pep Guardiola’s side managed that feat in 2023.
Liverpool of course had made it to the Champions League final themselves in 2022, and had they overcome Real Madrid, it would have been a completely different story. The Reds are currently ranked higher than Chelsea in UEFA’s rankings, meaning that they would have joined City in playing at the Club World Cup.
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Prize Money
This summer’s tournament is set to hand out the biggest financial reward in Club World Cup history.
It all means Slot’s side will not be in contention for the massive amount of prize money that is set to be on offer for being a part of the tournament, let alone winning it. The Reds’ next chance to claim the Club World Cup title will now only arrive in 2029.
Liverpool’s History in the FIFA Club World Cup
While the Reds may not have the chance of lifting the trophy this year, they have had previous experience of competing at the tournament. Their first foray came in 2005, when after their historic Champions League triumph in Istanbul over Milan, they went to the Club World Cup final to take on Sao Paulo. A goal from from Mineiro sealed the title for the Brazilian side as Rafa Benitez’s side were left to rue their missed chances.
Every Trophy Liverpool and Manchester United Have Won
Liverpool and Man United have both won countless trophies over the years.
It would be 14 years later before Liverpool would return to the showpiece finale once again, but this time, they would take their revenge – and it would also come against another Brazilian side no less. A goal from Roberto Firmino was enough to secure Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool their first ever Club World Cup trophy against Flamengo after the game went into extra-time.
Their tally of one title and one runners-up finish makes them the fifth-most successful club in the competition’s history, with only Bayern Munich, Corinthians, Barcelona and Real Madrid ahead of them in terms of performance. Chelsea and Manchester City will both have the opportunity to overtake them this summer given they also have one Club World Cup title each.
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