Chelsea will return to the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. The Blues join Manchester City as the only English clubs in the newly-revamped format, which has undergone a significant transformation.
The competition, set for 2025, has been heavily criticised by players, coaches, and executives for its new format. It will now feature an expanded field of 32 teams participating in a summer tournament that closely resembles the World Cup.
This change adds to an already packed fixture list for those involved, but fans are eagerly awaiting the draw to see who their clubs will face next summer.
With a different format, time of year, and qualification process, the Club World Cup has seen a lot of changes. Here is an in-depth look at everything you need to know about the revamped competition.
When is the FIFA Club World Cup draw?
The draw for the 2025 Club World Cup will take place tonight on Thursday, December 5, in Miami at 1pm local time (6pm GMT). Unlike the old format where seven teams from the six FIFA confederations played each other over 11 days, the competition will now feature 32 teams drawn into a World Cup-like group stage phase.
The top two sides from each group progress into the knockout stages, culminating in a highly-anticipated final, reports the Mirror.
When will the fixtures take place?
Teams are set to jet off to the United States for a revamped summer competition, with matches kicking off on June 15 and running until July 13. Miami is poised to host the opening match, while the final will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Other host cities include Los Angeles, Atlanta, Seattle, Philadelphia and Nashville.
Who will join Chelsea at the Club World Cup?
On the European front, no more than two teams from one country can qualify for the tournament, with those attending selected based on UEFA rankings – or if they have recently clinched the Champions League. This means that both Chelsea, the 2021 winners, and Manchester City, the 2023 winners, will represent England.
They'll be joined by European heavyweights Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG, Inter Milan, Juventus, Porto Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Red Bull Salzburg and Atletico Madrid.
From South America, Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminese, River Plate, Boca Juniors and Botafogo have qualified. Al Ahly, Wydad, Esperance de Tunis and Mamelodi Sundowns will represent Africa.
Players of Chelsea celebrate with the trophy at the end of the UEFA Champions League final match against Manchester City at Dragao Stadium on May 29, 2021 in Porto, Portugal.
Chelsea are two time Champions League winners. (Image: Photo by Alexander Hassenstein - UEFA/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Asia's representatives include Al Hilal, Urawa Red Riamonds, Al Ain and Ulsan HD, while Auckland City has secured their spot from Oceania.
The line-up is rounded off by five teams from North America; Monterrey, Seattle Sounders, Leon, Pachuca and Inter Miami, who take the host nation slot. The latter's participation has sparked controversy, given that the David Beckham-owned side with Lionel Messi did not win the MLS.
In a throwback to the old Champions League and World Cup draws, the 32 teams will be divided into four pots of eight. These will then be drawn into eight separate groups, each containing four teams.
How will the draw work?
The pots are as follows: Pot 1 includes Man City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG, Flamengo, Palmeiras, River Plate, Fluminese. Pot 2 features Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Porto, Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Juventus, Red Bull Salzburg.
Pot 3 has Al Hilal, Ulsan HD, Al Ahly, Wydad, Monterrey, Club Leon, Boca Juniors, Botafogo. And finally, Pot 4 consists of Urawa Red Diamonds, Al Ain, Esperance de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns, Pachuca, Seattle Sounders, Auckland City, Inter Miami.
How to watch?
DAZN has secured the rights to broadcast next year's Club World Cup after talks with Apple broke down, according to the Athletic. They claim FIFA and DAZN have struck a $ 1billion agreement, which will see all 63 matches made available on their platform to watch for free.
It is also claimed that DAZN will also have the option to sub-licence to local free-to-air broadcasters as part of its deal with FIFA. Ticketing information is still in its early stages, with fans wishing to attend any of the matches urged to register their interest via FIFA's website.
Although the new Club World Cup format adds to an already crowded calendar for players and coaches, it will give fans another chance to see football's finest clash, whether that be on TV or in person.
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