The newly expanded Club World Cup gets underway on Saturday, but there is no place for Liverpool despite technically ‘qualifying’. Here’s why.
FIFA’s controversial 32-team Club World Cup tournament debuts this summer in the United States, with clubs competing for prize money up to £97 million.
The overall prize fund of £775 million will be shared between all 32 teams based on participation and performances, with some clubs to earn £29.6 million just for taking part.
The tournament runs from June 14 to July 13 and adds unnecessary games to an already demanding schedule for top-level players and despite the prize money available, Arne Slot is unlikely to be too dismayed about missing out.
Liverpool’s Qualification Conundrum
Liverpool, under the guidance of manager Arne Slot, secured the 2024/2025 Premier League title in commanding fashion, finishing 10 points clear of their nearest rivals. Their consistent performances in the UEFA Champions League over the past four seasons (2020/2021 to 2023/2024) also placed them among Europe’s elite, ranking them as the fifth-best performing team in the competition. By FIFA’s qualification criteria, this should have been enough to secure a spot in the 2025 Club World Cup, which allocates 12 of its 32 places to European clubs. Yet, Liverpool fans will be watching from the sidelines as their team misses out on a potential £50 million windfall and the chance to compete on a global stage.
The root of the issue lies in FIFA’s two-team-per-nation rule. This regulation limits each country to a maximum of two representatives in the tournament, with an exception only if more than two clubs from the same nation win their continent’s premier competition—in Europe’s case, the Champions League—during the qualifying period. For England, Manchester City (2023 winners) and Chelsea (2021 winners) claimed the two available spots by virtue of their Champions League triumphs. Despite Liverpool’s higher UEFA coefficient ranking compared to Chelsea, FIFA prioritizes Champions League titles over consistent performance, effectively locking the Reds out.
Why the Rule Sparks Controversy
The two-team-per-nation rule has been met with widespread criticism, not just from Liverpool supporters but also from football fans across the globe. Critics argue that the rule undermines the spirit of competition by excluding top-performing teams like Liverpool, who reached the Champions League final in 2022 and consistently outperformed many qualified teams over the four-year cycle. Other notable absentees include Barcelona, Napoli, and RB Leipzig, all of whom were edged out due to similar restrictions in their respective countries.
FIFA’s decision to prioritize Champions League winners over coefficient rankings has raised eyebrows, particularly as it allows clubs like Red Bull Salzburg—ranked 15th in Europe and not a Champions League winner—to participate simply because Austria had no other qualifying teams. Meanwhile, Liverpool, the reigning English champions, are left to plan a pre-season tour in Asia instead of competing for global glory. The opaque nature of the qualification process has led to accusations of unfairness, with some fans speculating that FIFA’s choices are driven by commercial interests rather than sporting merit.
Fans’ Reactions and the Bigger Picture
Liverpool fans have taken to social media to express their disbelief and frustration. Posts on X highlight the sentiment, with one user lamenting, “How can the Premier League champions miss out on a tournament they qualified for? FIFA’s rules make no sense!” Another called the decision “a slap in the face to Liverpool’s dominance.” The controversy has fueled discussions about the broader implications of FIFA’s expanding calendar, with player welfare concerns coming to the forefront. The Club World Cup, running from June 15 to July 13, 2025, adds up to seven extra games for participating teams, leaving just five weeks before the 2025/2026 Premier League season begins on August 16.
Arne Slot, Liverpool’s manager, has expressed mixed feelings about the situation. “I don’t think it’s healthy for players to have such a packed schedule,” he remarked, echoing concerns from players like Manchester City’s Rodri and former City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who have criticized FIFA and UEFA for prioritizing revenue over player well-being. Slot added, “Maybe when the tournament is played, we’ll wish we were there, but for now, it’s a chance to focus on our pre-season.” Indeed, Liverpool’s absence might prove advantageous, giving their squad a less congested schedule compared to rivals Manchester City and Chelsea, who face a grueling summer.
What’s Next for Liverpool and the Club World Cup?
The Club World Cup’s expansion has been a polarizing move, with the European Club Association praising it as “fantastic news” for club football, while the World Leagues Forum, led by Premier League chief Richard Masters, has voiced concerns about fixture congestion. For Liverpool, the earliest opportunity to compete in the tournament will be in 2029, provided they win the Champions League or secure a high enough UEFA ranking without being blocked by the two-team rule. A Champions League victory between now and 2028 would guarantee their spot, but fans are left wondering if FIFA will tweak the qualification criteria before then to address the current backlash.
As the 2025 Club World Cup unfolds, the absence of Liverpool—a club with a rich history in global competitions, having won the title in 2019—will be keenly felt. The tournament’s hefty prize money and global exposure make it a tantalizing prospect, but for now, Liverpool’s supporters can only watch and wonder what might have been. One thing is certain: the controversy surrounding FIFA’s qualification rules has ignited a firestorm among fans, and the debate over fairness and player welfare is far from over.