Liverpool to Skip Newly Expanded Club World Cup in 2025
Liverpool Football Club has decided not to participate in the newly expanded Club World Cup tournament in 2025. This means that their next opportunity to feature in the tournament will not be until 2029. Despite calls for greater player welfare, FIFA continues to add games to the calendar, including the controversial 32-team Club World Cup starting in 2025.
Qualification Criteria Excludes Liverpool
FIFA has confirmed the qualification criteria for the first edition of the new tournament, allowing only two clubs per country to participate. As a result, Manchester City and Chelsea have already secured their spots by winning the Champions League in the pre-determined four-year cycle. Arsenal could also join them if they win this season’s Champions League. Despite having more coefficient points than Chelsea, Liverpool has been excluded from the tournament as FIFA prioritizes winning the Champions League over coefficient points.
Relief for Liverpool
The Club World Cup will now take place every four years during the summer months. Liverpool may feel relieved that they won’t be participating in the tournament. While they would miss out on a financial windfall, there are growing concerns about fixture congestion and player demands. The current state of affairs is becoming increasingly overwhelming, and a breaking point seems imminent.
Next Opportunity in 2029
Liverpool lifted the Club World Cup trophy for the first time in 2019 following their European Cup success. However, with the changes to the tournament, their earliest chance to add to their tally will be in 2029. Other European clubs already qualified for the tournament include Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint Germain, Inter Milan, Porto, and Benfica. Despite the potential financial advantages, it may actually be an advantage for Liverpool to not be involved in the tournament.