Chelsea won the first edition of the revamped 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after beating PSG 3-0 in the final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. However, despite their victory, the Blues donāt have their ticket for the next edition of the tournament in 2029 yet.
However, PSG are already qualified as they won the 2024-25 Champions League title, becoming the first European team to clinch its spot for the 2029 competition. The other three teams that have also qualified are: 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup winners Cruz Azul (Mexico), 2024ā25 AFC Champions League champions Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia) and 2024ā25 CAF Champions League winners Pyramids FC (Egypt).
One more club will join them before the end of 2025āthe winner of this yearās Copa Libertadores in South America. This will be the fifth confirmed participant for the 2029 edition, with the rest of the slots to be filled gradually over the next three years.
In total, 12 European clubs will participate. In addition to PSG, the Champions League winners from the 2025ā26, 2026ā27, and 2027ā28 seasons will qualify automatically. The remaining eight spots for Europe will be awarded to the top-ranked clubs based on performances in the Champions League between 2025 and 2028.
PSG qualified by winning the 2024-25 Champions League trophy (Getty Images)
How will the rest of the teams qualify for the tournament?
South America will send six clubs in total. Each Libertadores winner from 2025 through 2028 will qualify, along with the two highest-ranked clubs who do not win but accumulate the most points over those four years. If the same club wins more than once, the rankings will be used to fill in the extra slots.
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Africa, Asia, and Concacaf will each have three additional places available. These will go to the winners of their respective continental championships from 2026 to 2028. With the 2025 winners already decided in each confederation, the remaining titles will determine the other qualifiers.
Oceania will send one team. The berth will go to the most successful club in the new OFC Professional League (OPL), which begins play in January 2026. Eight teams are expected to compete in the inaugural season of the OPL.
Lastly, one place is reserved for the host country. The specific qualification process for that spot remains unclear, and it could potentially be awarded by invitation or through domestic competition criteria yet to be announced.
