When expectation is building for the extended 2025 Club World CupFans around the world mark their calendars for what promises to become a landmark’s summer in the United States. Production 32 of the world’s top clubs and $ 1 billion in prize moneyThis month -long tournament aims to crown a real champion for world football between June 14 and July 13. The competition is hosted over iconic cities from Atlanta to Seattle and is a bold new step for FIFA – and one that many hoped would include a Possible Romantic reunion between Lionel Messi and his former club, Barcelona.
But that dream may have to wait. Despite growing speculation and a vacant space in the tournament list, Barcelona has not been invited. And the cause is more complicated than fans can expect.
New era for clubs, but not for Barcelona
The renewed Club World Cup is designed to showcase a sustainable excellence over time, not just disposable blinks of gloss. While Messi is confirmed to work with Inter MiamiBarcelona’s absence has received special attention. Their fans had hoped that a gap left by another club could give the Catalans a back door in the tournament. These hopes have been dashed – at least at the moment.
According to the Spanish newspaper Make “FIFA has not expanded an invitation to the Spanish heavyweights after the Mexican side club Leon was removed from the tournament for violating the multi -club’s ownership rules.”
This situation began when Club Leona top Mexican team was removed from the tournament because of their shared ownership with Pachucaanother participant. The violation of FIFA’s multi -club owner regulations forced Leon, but their appeal to Arbitration Court for Sport (CAS) has frozen all attempts to replace them until a judgment is taken on May 6.
In the meantime, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the vacant place is likely to be filled through a playoffs between Club America and Los Angeles FCRather than offering the position directly to a European club like Barcelona.
Why Barcelona looks less likely to make the cut
While fans may claim that Barcelona deserves a place based on their present form –The leading league, in the Copa del Rey finaland In the Champions League semi -final—Fifa’s selection criteria tell another story.
The European sites for the 2025 World Cup were Assigned based on UEFA coefficients and performances from 2021 to 2024Not just the current campaign. “Barcelona was eliminated in the Champions League group steps in both seasons 2021-22 and 2022-23 and did not perform well in the Europa League either,” declared Diario like.
Because of this, Blaugrana failed to qualify on sports qualificationsThe And decisive, No European team was disqualifiedmean that there was No regulatory basis for inviting them to fill Leon’s place.
Although FIFA would consider it, the Catalans would not run for an invitation. “The club will not drive for inclusion in the tournament,” reported Diario like. “They are aware of the rules and understand that they have not served their place through sports performance.”
