In case there wasn't quite enough football already, FIFA's reformatted and expanded Club World Cup in 2025 will bring more action to our screens.
The competition, which will take place in the United States, will see the leading nations from all six continental federations duke it out in a World Cup-esque format every four years.
Chelsea are one of the sides that will travel to North America searching for silverware in the new-look competition, which veers drastically from the Club World Cup previously witnessed in recent years.
But why are Chelsea, who finished sixth in the Premier League last season and without a trophy, competing in the 2025 Club World Cup?
Despite underwhelming recent campaigns, Chelsea will participate in the 2025 Club World Cup. The reason for this is quite simple, with the past four UEFA Champions League winners all securing qualification for the inaugural event.
That means Chelsea's success in 2020/21 has earned them a spot in the competition and they are joined by fellow European victors Manchester City and Real Madrid, who won the competition in 2022 and 2024.
Reports have suggested that qualifying clubs will earn €50m for reaching the tournament and the winner could earn up to €100m. Chelsea are not strapped for cash, that's for sure, but it's a healthy bonus to be used next summer.
The much-changed 2025 Club World Cup is almost unrecognisable from its predecessor. The tournament now contains 32 teams from across the globe as opposed to just seven sides in the competition's previous iteration.
Teams will be drawn into four groups of eight and compete in a classic league table before entering the knockout rounds of the competition. All six federations will have at least one representative.
Past Club World Cups have taken place at the end of the calendar year but the upcoming edition will occur between 15 June and 13 July 2025.
The Club World Cup used to be held annually and was contested by Champions League victors from each confederation, but the new-look format will occur every four years instead.
The previous format of the Club World Cup has been retained, however, rebranded as the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. The inaugural tournament takes place at the end of 2024 and is fought by the six continental Champions League winners.
All 32 sides have now qualified for the 2025 Club World Cup after Brazilian outfit Botafogo secured their place by winning the Copa Libertadores for the first time in their 123-year history. They are one of six CONMEBOL sides that will join the 12 UEFA clubs.
Auckland City are the OFC's sole representative, while the AFC has four nations involved. CAF also have four teams involved but CONCACAF have been handed five spots at the competition – Lionel Messi's Inter Miami earning their place via home nation status and as winners of the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield.
Club
Confederation
Nation
Al Hilal
AFC
Saudi Arabia
Urawa Red Diamonds
AFC
Japan
Al Ain
AFC
United Arab Emirates
Ulsan HD
AFC
South Korea
Al Ahly
CAF
Egypt
Wydad AC
CAF
Morocco
ES Tunis
CAF
Tunisia
Mamelodi Sundowns
CAF
South Africa
Monterrey
CONCACAF
Mexico
Seattle Sounders
CONCACAF
United States
Leon
CONCACAF
Mexico
Pachuca
CONCACAF
Mexico
Inter Miami
CONCACAF
United States
Palmeiras
CONMEBOL
Brazil
Flamengo
CONMEBOL
Brazil
Fluminense
CONMEBOL
Brazil
Botafogo
CONMEBOL
Brazil
River Plate
CONMEBOL
Argentina
Boca Juniors
CONMEBOL
Argentina
Auckland City
OFC
New Zealand
Chelsea
UEFA
England
Manchester City
UEFA
England
Real Madrid
UEFA
Spain
Bayern Munich
UEFA
Germany
Paris Saint-Germain
UEFA
France
Inter
UEFA
Italy
Porto
UEFA
Portugal
Benfica
UEFA
Portugal
Borussia Dortmund
UEFA
Germany
Juventus
UEFA
Italy
Atletico Madrid
UEFA
Spain
RB Salzburg
UEFA
Austria
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