Those new to the forthcoming Club World Cup might be wondering, 'Why isn't Liverpool involved?'
The revamped 32-team tournament in the United States commences on Saturday night with Inter Miami taking on Egyptian club Al Ahly at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium. The FIFA-organised competition, which wants to rival the UEFA Champions League as the world's premier club competition, concludes on July 13 with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
With only two clubs from each national association permitted, Manchester City and Chelsea will represent England. Despite regularly featuring at the top of the Premier League and being Champions League contenders in recent seasons, the Reds have missed out. The primary qualifying criteria is Champions League success, with invitations extended to the last four winners prior to this year.
Chelsea and City secured their spots by clinching the title in 2021 and 2023, respectively. With Real Madrid – now the home of Trent Alexander-Arnold – lifting the Champions League trophy in 2022 and 2024, the remaining nine of Europe's 12 spots were determined by UEFA rankings. This would have allowed 2022 runners-up Liverpool to participate had City or Chelsea not qualified through winning the tournament.
New European champions Paris Saint-Germain earned their spot due to their consistent Champions League performances over the four-year cycle, during which they were regulars in the knockout stages.
The other European qualifiers via UEFA rankings are Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Porto, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Benfica and Red Bull Salzburg.
The participation of Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, which is in Group A as the host nation's team, has sparked controversy. The Herons clinched the regular-season Supporters Shield, but fell short of the Major League Soccer championship after losing to Atlanta in the MLS Cup play-offs.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - MAY 31: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF reacts after the team's victory in the MLS match between Inter Miami CF and Columbus Crew at Chase Stadium on May 31, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi will grace the Club World Cup after Inter Miami were handed the host nation's spot (Image: Getty Images)
Miami shares Group A with Brazilian sides Palmeiras and Porto. Palmeiras, one of six teams representing the South American federation CONMEBOL, earned its spot by winning the Copa Libertadores. Fellow Brazilian teams Flamengo, Fluminense and Botafogo also qualified through victories in South America's equivalent of the Champions League in recent seasons. Argentine duo Boca Juniors and River Plate secured their places based on their CONMEBOL ranking.
The other US representatives are Seattle Sounders and Los Angeles, who triumphed in the Concacaf Champions League in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Mexican pair Monterrey and Pachuca are in thanks to winning the same competition in 2021 and 2024.
The Asian contingent is led by Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, Japan's Urawa Reds and Al Ain from the UAE. All three teams secured their spots through victories in the AFC Champions League. South Korea's Ulsan HD joins them due to their continental ranking.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool, celebrates with Premier League trophy after his final appearance for Liverpool as Liverpool are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2024/25 Season, following the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield on May 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images/Getty Images For The Premier League)
Trent Alexander-Arnold will be involved in the Club World Cup after leaving Liverpool for Real Madrid (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images/Getty Images For The Premier League)
Al Ahly dominated the CAF Champions League, winning it three times in four years, with Moroccans Wydad AC also claiming the title within the qualification period. ES Tunis of Tunisia and Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa fill the remaining African berths, again based on their ranking in the continent. Meanwhile, Auckland City will fly the flag for Oceania after triumphing in their regional Champions League.
After enduring a gruelling Premier League campaign, Liverpool may not be too dismayed about missing out on the summer tournament in the States. Their absence could even prove beneficial for the upcoming season.
The sentiment is echoed by England manager Thomas Tuchel, who said recently: "I think [the Club World Cup] will have a huge impact and it will give Liverpool and Arsenal a huge advantage in the next season to not be there."