Why have Chelsea qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025? | OneFootball

In case there wasn't quite enough football already, FIFA's reformatted and expanded Club World Cup in 2025 will bring more action to our screens.

The competition, which will take place in the United States, will see the leading nations from all six continental federations duke it out in a World Cup-esque format every four years.

Chelsea are one of the sides that will travel to North America searching for silverware in the new-look competition, which veers drastically from the Club World Cup previously witnessed in recent years.

But why are Chelsea, who finished sixth in the Premier League last season and without a trophy, competing in the 2025 Club World Cup?

Why have Chelsea qualified for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup?

Chelsea and Man City are England's representatives / Visionhaus/GettyImages

Despite underwhelming recent campaigns, Chelsea will participate in the 2025 Club World Cup. The reason for this is quite simple, with the past four UEFA Champions League winners all securing qualification for the inaugural event.

That means Chelsea's success in 2020/21 has earned them a spot in the competition and they are joined by fellow European victors Manchester City and Real Madrid, who won the competition in 2022 and 2024.

Reports have suggested that qualifying clubs will earn €50m for reaching the tournament and the winner could earn up to €100m. Chelsea are not strapped for cash, that's for sure, but it's a healthy bonus to be used next summer.

What changes have been made to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup?

The much-changed 2025 Club World Cup is almost unrecognisable from its predecessor. The tournament now contains 32 teams from across the globe as opposed to just seven sides in the competition's previous iteration.

Teams will be drawn into four groups of eight and compete in a classic league table before entering the knockout rounds of the competition. All six federations will have at least one representative.

Past Club World Cups have taken place at the end of the calendar year but the upcoming edition will occur between 15 June and 13 July 2025.

The Club World Cup used to be held annually and was contested by Champions League victors from each confederation, but the new-look format will occur every four years instead.

The previous format of the Club World Cup has been retained, however, rebranded as the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. The inaugural tournament takes place at the end of 2024 and is fought by the six continental Champions League winners.

Which other teams have qualified for the competition?

Botafogo were the last team to qualify after winning the Copa Libertadores / Buda Mendes/GettyImages

All 32 sides have now qualified for the 2025 Club World Cup after Brazilian outfit Botafogo secured their place by winning the Copa Libertadores for the first time in their 123-year history. They are one of six CONMEBOL sides that will join the 12 UEFA clubs.

Auckland City are the OFC's sole representative, while the AFC has four nations involved. CAF also have four teams involved but CONCACAF have been handed five spots at the competition - Lionel Messi's Inter Miami earning their place via home nation status and as winners of the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield.