The new-look FIFA Club World Cup takes place in 2025 and the revamped tournament will be bigger than ever before.
FIFA have expanded the competition as clubs from across the world prepare to duke it out for world champion status. All six continental confederations are sending some of their best and brightest for a tournament that promises some tantalising clashes despite justifiable questions over the necessity of another major club competition.
Having regularly appeared at past Club World Cups during his time with Manchester United and Real Madrid, five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo will feel he deserves a place at next summer's competition – especially given Lionel Messi's Inter Miami will be present.
But will Ronaldo and his Al Nassr teammates compete in the United States?
Unfortunately for those hoping for a final competitive duel between Messi and Ronaldo, the Portuguese superstar will not take part in the 2025 Club World Cup. Al Nassr didn't qualify as one of the AFC's four representatives as they have failed to win the continent's Champions League title in any of the previous four years.
Al Hilal are the only Saudi Pro League side that will feature, meaning Neymar will reunite with Messi and co., with Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds, South Korea's Ulsan HD and the United Arab Emirates' Al Ain the other Asian representatives.
Ronaldo will not participate at the tournament unless he joins a club that has qualified during the January transfer window.
Ronaldo has a mightily impressive record at past Club World Cups, lifting the trophy during all four of his appearances in the competition. One title with Man Utd in 2008 was followed by three triumphs in four editions with Real Madrid between 2014 and 2017.
The Portugal international has scored seven and assisted three in just eight individual outings at past Club World Cups. He scored a hat-trick in the 2016 final with Kashima Antlers – two of which came in extra-time – and netted the only goal of the game in victory over Gremio in the following year's final.
The Club World Cup has traditionally been held at the end of the calendar year but that changes drastically in 2025. With the competition expanding and being reformatted, it's been moved to next summer to facilitate the sheer number of matches that must be played. The competition now takes place every four years instead of annually.
Messi's Inter Miami will participate in the first match at the competition on 15 June and the tournament will run until the final on 13 July. Each club will play a minimum of three matches during the group stage and a maximum of seven should they reach the showpiece event.
The Club World Cup has aways been fought between continental Champions League winners from across the world. That remains true but there are significantly more of them in 2025, with other clubs qualifying based on a four-year ranking across the Champions League or continental equivalent.
In total, there will be 32 sides competing at the 2025 Club World Cup. UEFA boast the most teams with 12 European sides travelling to North America, while the OFC have the fewest competitors. New Zealand outfit Auckland City are the only team making the journey.
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