The Club World Cup will experience a significant transformation in 2025, as FIFA introduces a revamped format aimed at creating a more exciting spectacle. The new tournament, referred to as the 'Mundialito,' will feature 32 teams, bringing the best clubs from across the globe into a competition unlike anything seen before.
Botafogo's recent Copa Libertadores victory secured their place, completing the lineup of participants, which includes Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid as the only Spanish representatives. Real Madrid qualified automatically by winning the Champions League in 2022, while Atlético earned their spot based on their superior UEFA ranking over Barcelona, edging them out by six points.
Several high-profile clubs, such as Barcelona, Liverpool, and AC Milan, have missed out on qualification, with teams like Chelsea and Manchester City securing places due to their Champions League triumphs. The first edition of this newly formatted tournament will be hosted in the United States, with clubs from every continent participating.
The draw for the group stage will take place on December 5 in Miami, forming eight groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group will advance to the round of 16, with single-match knockout rounds leading to the final on July 13. Notably, extra time has been eliminated from the knockout stages—if a match is tied after 90 minutes, a penalty shoot-out will determine the winner.
With the tournament set to run alongside an already packed football calendar, questions remain about how seriously clubs will approach the competition, given the potential for increased physical strain on players.
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