England’s two most successful clubs, Liverpool and Manchester United, will not be participating in the new-look Club World Cup this year, but here’s how they could qualify when the next tournament runs around.
Sunday marks the first game in the Club World Cup’s inaugural campaign in the new format.
The Club World Cup began in 2000 and has historically crowned the best football team in the world for the season, with all continental Champions League victors battling it out in a short-form tournament.
However, Fifa president Gianni Infantino recently announced a brand new format, expanding the tournament to 32 teams from six confederations, a far cry from the seven in 2023, while making the tournament played every four years instead of annually.
Fifa President Gianni Infantino was the mastermind behind the new-look Club World Cup
PA
Each confederation is now given an allocation of teams, for example, Uefa (Europe) has 12 spaces, whereas Conmebol (South America) has six.
The teams that take the allocated spots firstly include continental Champions League winners - both Chelsea and Manchester City have won the tournament in the last four years.
With eight spots remaining for Europe after the four recent Champions League spots have been accounted for, the allocation turns to the Fifa club rankings. However, Fifa has introduced a two-per-country cap.
Therefore, despite Liverpool’s ranking of fourth, they are not able to qualify due to Manchester City and Chelsea already taking up England’s spots with their recent Champions League triumphs.
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Despite lifting the Premier League this season, Liverpool did not qualify for the Club World Cup
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Looking forward, for Liverpool a seventh Champions League success would guarantee their qualification for the 2029 Club World Cup.
Alternatively, hoping that two English teams do not lift the trophy before then and maintain their domestic dominance, which their aggression in the transfer window suggests, could also help them qualify.
The situation for Manchester United, however, is looking significantly more bleak.
With the side not even qualifying for Europe this year, their chances of lifting the Champions League seem to diminish with every passing year.
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The Red Devil’s most likely admission will be improving performances on the pitch to rise up the Uefa club rankings above their English counterparts and take a spot that way.
England’s two most successful sides will be vying to compete in the next edition of the tournament.
The winner could win up to £97million, which is more than Paris Saint-Germain earned for their Champions League triumph over Inter Milan last month.
The new-look tournament also announced the winner would sport a champion crest on their shirt for four years until the next Club World Cup in 2029.
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The Club World Cup is set to commence on Sunday with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami
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With the short transfer window prior to the tournament, it means that fans will have the chance to watch club’s new signings early.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will make his Real Madrid debut, alongside new boss Xabi Alonso, whereas Liam Delap will don the Chelsea blue for the first time.
Manchester City, who have also made a host of additions, are looking to defend the title for the first time since Real Madrid won three consecutive years between 2017 and 2019.
The La Liga giants are themselves looking to extend their record amount of triumphs to six.
The competition will be free to watch on DAZN.
However, Liverpool and Manchester United fans will have to wait four years if they are to see their team crowned the greatest club side on the planet.
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