Why Arsenal, Liverpool & Man Utd are not playing in the Club World Cup

As the competition begins, many are wondering why Arsenal, United, and Liverpool won’t be participating.

Despite being the reigning Premier League champions, Liverpool did not qualify, nor did runners-up Arsenal. United, despite their stature in English football, also missed out following a disappointing season.

The reason for their absence lies in FIFA’s qualification criteria, which allocates only a portion of the available spots to European clubs.

Automatic qualification is granted to Champions League winners from the previous seasons, which is why Chelsea and City secured their places after winning the tournament in earlier years.

While United and Liverpool have previously lifted the Club World Cup trophy, Arsenal has never participated in the competition.

Before the tournament’s expansion, only a limited number of teams competed, with just one European club qualifying as the most recent Champions League winner.

Arsenal’s lack of Champions League success means they have never featured in the Club World Cup.

United’s last appearance came after winning the Champions League, where they triumphed over an Ecuadorian side in the final.

Liverpool, meanwhile, claimed the Club World Cup title after their Champions League victory, defeating a Brazilian club in the final.

Club World Cup 2025 groups

Group A
– Palmeiras – Champions of the Copa Libertadores in a previous season

– Porto – Ranked fifth among eligible UEFA teams over a four-year span

– Al Ahly – Secured the CAF Champions League title during an earlier campaign

– Inter Miami – Claimed the MLS Supporters’ Shield last year
Group B
– Paris Saint-Germain – Second-highest ranked eligible UEFA team based on four-year standings

– Atletico Madrid – Holds the sixth spot among eligible UEFA teams over the same period

– Botafogo – Lifted the Copa Libertadores trophy recently

– Seattle Sounders – Winners of the CONCACAF Champions League a few years ago

Group C
– Bayern Munich – The highest-ranked eligible UEFA team over the last four years

– Auckland City – Leading OFC Champions League winners in the regional rankings

– Boca Juniors – Placed second among CONMEBOL teams in the four-year ranking

– Benfica – Sitting seventh in the UEFA rankings for eligibility

Group D
– Flamengo – Earned the Copa Libertadores title in a previous competition

– Esperance de Tunis – The top-ranked eligible CAF team over four years

– Chelsea – Secured the UEFA Champions League title in an earlier season

– Los Angeles FC – Triumphed in the play-in match to earn qualification

Group E
– River Plate – Highest-ranked eligible CONMEBOL team in the recent rankings

– Urawa Red Diamonds – Crowned AFC Champions League winners in a past tournament

– Monterrey – Claimed the CONCACAF Champions League title a few seasons back

– Inter Milan – Fourth-ranked eligible UEFA team based on recent calculations

Group F
– Fluminense – Most recent Copa Libertadores winners

– Borussia Dortmund – Third-ranked eligible UEFA team over a four-year period

– Ulsan HD – Holds the top spot among AFC teams in the long-term rankings

– Mamelodi Sundowns – Second-best ranked CAF team in eligibility

Group G
– Manchester City – Secured the UEFA Champions League in a recent campaign

– Wydad AC – Clinched the CAF Champions League title previously

– Al Ain – Won the AFC Champions League last season

– Juventus – Holds the eighth spot among eligible UEFA teams in the rankings

Group H
– Real Madrid – Champions of a past UEFA Champions League season

– Al Hilal – Secured victory in the AFC Champions League previously

– Pachuca – Recently crowned CONCACAF Champions League winners

– Red Bull Salzburg – Ranked ninth among eligible UEFA teams over four years