The Club World Cup used to only be a 6-7 team tournament that began in the knockout phase straight away, eliminating teams as you would in any knockout tournament. The 2025 edition of the Club World Cup will feature 32 teams in what looks to be a tournament styled in the old Champions League format held quadrenially. Qualification is through the four-year confederation ranking or having won intercontinental tournaments (i.e. Champions League).
“It’s exciting when 12 of the best clubs from Europe compete with clubs from all over the world,” Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said (Sport Bild via @iMiaSanMia). “As far as the topic of stress is concerned, the Club World Cup only takes place every four years. Of course, participation must be economically worthwhile in addition to the sporting incentive. Because there are more costs if, ideally, you tour abroad for four weeks until the final, you may also have to have a bigger squad.”
Welcome to the new age of football.
