For the very first time, FIFA is to host a Club World Cup with 32 teams next summer – and we will be a part of it!
After Arsenal were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League, it is confirmed that we will take part in the Copa Mundial de Clubes in the USA in summer 2025. Our performances in the UEFA Champions League over the last four seasons were crucial for sealing our spot - along with the fact a maximum of two clubs per country are allowed to qualify via UEFA's points system.
Our participation is not only a historic event for our club, but provides recognition for the whole of Austrian club football, as our general manager Stephan Reiter says:
It's wonderful that our Salzburg Way has led us all the way to the FIFA Club World Cup and that we will get the chance in summer 2025 to compete with the best club teams in the world from recent years. Our continually good performances in the UEFA Champions League over the past five years have made this possible, and our Austrian titles have allowed us to achieve that.
We don't know all of the details of the tournament, but we know already that it will be a huge challenge. It will be a complete change to our pre-season plans with lots of additional travel and matches. We will approach that with our usual professionalism and great excitement.
I think that taking part is not only a great honour for FC Red Bull Salzburg, but also is a recognition for the whole of Austrian club football, which has continually improved in recent years.
All the teams confirmed at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Along with European giants like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Manchester City, other top teams from all confederations are to take part.
These clubs are already confirmed:
- Al Ahly (Egypt) – 2020/21 and 2022/23 CAF Champions League
- Wydad (Marocco) – 2021/22 CAF Champions League
- Al Hilal (Saudi-Arabia) – 2021 AFC Champions League
- Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) – 2022 AFC Champions League
- Chelsea (England) – 2020/21 UEFA Champions League
- Real Madrid (Spain) – 2021/22 UEFA Champions League
- Manchester City (England) – 2022/23 UEFA Champions League
- Bayern Munich (Germany) – UEFA Ranking Path
- Paris Saint-Germain (France) – UEFA Ranking Path
- Inter Mailand (Italy) – UEFA Ranking Path
- FC Porto (Portugal) – UEFA Ranking Path
- Benfica (Portugal) – UEFA Ranking Path
- Borussia Dortmund (Germany) – UEFA Ranking Path
- Juventus Turin (Italy) – UEFA Ranking Path
- Monterrey (Mexico) – 2021 CONCACAF Champions Cup
- Seattle Sounders (USA) – 2022 CONCACAF Champions Cup
- Club Leon (Mexico) – 2023 CONCACAF Champions Cup
- Auckland City (New Zeeland) – OFC Ranking Path
- Palmeiras (Brazil) – 2021 CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores
- Flamengo (Brazil) – 2022 CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores
- Fluminense (Brazil) – 2023 CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores
Everything worth knowing about the Club World Cup can be found on the official FIFA website via the following link:
