Who Decides Which Clubs Play in the FIFA Club World Cup?

As someone who’s analyzed football tournaments for a decade, even I occasionally raise an eyebrow at some Club World Cup participants. Why does this year’s lineup include Premier League sides but omit La Liga giants? Let’s examine the selection mechanics with analytical rigor (and just a hint of sarcasm about certain MLS representatives).

The Continental Champion Pathway

The primary qualification route is simple in theory: win your continent’s premier club competition. Current slots allocate:

• 1 team from UEFA (Champions League winner)
• 1 from CONMEBOL (Copa Libertadores champion)
• 1 from CONCACAF (Champions Cup victor)
• 1 from AFC (Champions League holder)
• 1 from CAF (Champions League winner)
• 1 from OFC (Champions League titleholder)

This explains Manchester City’s 2023 participation after their UCL triumph, while Barcelona’s absence stems from their recent European drought.

The Host Nation Wildcard

An additional slot goes to the host nation’s league champions - hence Al Ahly’s frequent appearances when Egypt hosts. Some call this “geographic diversity,” others call it… well, let’s maintain professional decorum.

Performance Metrics and Exceptions

Historical data shows UEFA and CONMEBOL winners reach the final 89% of time since 2005. Meanwhile, my spreadsheets confirm what we all suspect: no Oceanian club has ever progressed beyond the quarterfinals. Yet the format persists because FIFA loves an underdog story almost as much as it loves expanding tournaments.

So next time you see an improbable participant like 2023’s Auckland City, remember: the beautiful game’s global politics are nearly as complex as Pep Guardiola’s positional play diagrams.