Why are Barcelona not playing in the Club World Cup?

Many of the biggest teams in world football will be descending on the United States this summer for the revamped FIFA Club World Cup. 

Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Manchester City are just some of the 32 teams taking part, but there are some notable omissions. 

One of those is Spain's 2024/25 LaLiga FC champions Barcelona, who will not be making the trip across the Atlantic Ocean. 

This has raised a number of eyebrows with Barcelona one of football's most successful and influential clubs when it comes to how teams function on and off the pitch. 

Here DAZN News explains why Barcelona will not be competing at this year's Club World Cup. 

Why are FC Barcelona not playing in the Club World Cup?

When it comes to European representation at the tournament, UEFA were allocated 12 teams with the three most recent Champions League winners, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea automatically qualifying.

The remaining nine spots were then determined by a ranking system which took into account results over the last two seasons, but there was also the caveat which allowed just two teams per country to take part in the Club World Cup. 

This meant Atletico Madrid was named as Spain's other representative as they outranked Barcelona who have not enjoyed much success in the UEFA Champions League over the past few seasons with group stage exits in 2022 and 2023. 

When is 2025 Club World Cup?

This year's Club World Cup will begin on Saturday, June 14 when Inter Miami takes on Al Ahly FC at Hard Rock Stadium with the final scheduled for Sunday, July 13 at MetLife Stadium. 

• Group Stage:  Saturday, June 14 - Thursday, June 26
• Round of 16:  Saturday, June 28 - Tuesday, July 1
• Quarter-finals:  Friday, July 4 - Saturday, July 5
• Semi-finals:  Tuesday, July 8 - Wednesday, July 9
• Final:  Sunday, July 13

How many teams are playing in 2025 Club World Cup?

In total 32 teams will be competing at the Club World Cup with all international federations represented. 

Inter Miami have also been give a place at the tournament as a result of the United States being the hosts. 

Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

• Al Hilal
• Urawa Red Diamonds
• Al Ain
• Ulsan HD

Confederation of African Football (CAF)

• Al Ahly
• Wydad AC
• Esperance de Tunis
• Mamelodi Sundowns

Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF)

• Monterrey
• Seattle Sounders FC
• Leon
• Pachuca

South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL)

• Palmeiras
• Flamengo
• Fluminense
• Botafogo
• River Plate
• Boca Juniors

Oceania Football Confederation (OFC)

• Auckland City

Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)

• Chelsea
• Real Madrid
• Manchester City
• Bayern Munich
• Paris Saint-Germain
• Inter Milan
• Porto
• Benfica
• Borussia Dortmund
• Juventus
• Atletico Madrid
• Red Bull Salzburg

Host

• Inter Miami

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