Why isn’t Manchester United playing at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025?
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 has sparked excitement among soccer fans as the tournament enters a new era. Featuring 32 teams from across the globe, the revamped format marks a significant shift in world soccer. FIFA has ensured a balanced representation by allocating slots across all federations, making this a truly global spectacle.
UEFA, Europe’s governing body, sent 12 teams to the competition, including heavyweights like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Juventus. Clubs from smaller leagues, such as Portugal’s Porto and Benfica and Austria’s RB Salzburg, also earned their place.
However, one notable omission has drawn attention: Manchester United. With a storied legacy and a global fanbase, the Red Devils are absent from the list—unlike their crosstown rivals, Manchester City, who did qualify. So why won’t United be part of the Club World Cup?
Manchester United misses the cut
Manchester United’s exclusion comes down to UEFA’s strict qualification criteria. Only two paths existed for entry: win the UEFA Champions League between 2021 and 2024, or accumulate enough points in UEFA’s coefficient rankings based on performance during those four seasons.
Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester City secured automatic berths by lifting the Champions League trophy in those years. United, on the other hand, never advanced beyond the Round of 16 during that span—their best showing coming in the 2021–22 campaign.
In the coefficient rankings, United also came up short. They featured in three of the four qualifying seasons but struggled, exiting twice in the group stage and once in the Round of 16. Their overall points tally placed them 21st in the UEFA rankings—well outside the qualification zone.
Adding to the challenge, UEFA capped participation at two clubs per country—unless a third team won the Champions League. With City and Chelsea already in, English teams like United and Liverpool were essentially blocked from qualifying unless they lifted the European title. This rule even excluded Liverpool, who ranked 8th overall.
Despite being one of the most iconic clubs in world soccer, Manchester United’s recent performances weren’t enough to secure a place in this expanded Club World Cup. And looking ahead, things won’t get easier. Having failed to qualify for the 2025–26 Champions League, United won’t be able to add points to their ranking next year, putting their 2029 Club World Cup hopes at serious risk.