Super Club World Cup: with Al Ain’s classification, how are the last 4 places distributed? :: Olé

There is still more than a year until the first edition of the Club Super World Cup, which will take place from June 15 to July 13, 2025 in the United States. Of the 32 teams, 28 are in, given that this Saturday a new qualifier was defined: Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates, which beat Yokohama Marinos 5-1 in the second leg of the Asian Champions final (6-3 on aggregate). How are the remaining five tickets defined.

Of the 32 teams participating in the tournament, 12 places were awarded by UEFA, and all are now allocated. Chelsea (2021), Real Madrid (2022) and Manchester City (2023) qualified as champions of the last three editions of the Champions League. In addition, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter, Borussia Dortmund, Porto, Atlético de Madrid, Benfica, Juventus and Red Bull Salzburg are added through the ranking

In Conmebol, the competition seems to be open until the end. Of the 32 participating teams, six will come from South America. Palmeiras (2021), Flamengo (2022) and Fluminense (2023), as champions of the last three editions of the Copa Libertadores, already have their place assured. River, after a good performance in the current tournament, secured its place through the ranking. The two remaining spots will be for the champion of the 2024 Copa Libertadores and the 2nd best in the ranking (Boca, for now).

As for Concacaf, the four places will be assigned to the Concachampions champions. Thus, Rayados de Monterrey (2021), Seattle Sounders (2022) and Club León (2023) have already secured their participation. The last ticket will be disputed between Pachuca and Columbus Crew, who will compete in the final of the Concachampions 2024 on Saturday June 1st, from 10:15 a.m. (Argentine time), in Mexico. On the other hand, the United States has a place as the host country and, although it has not been determined how it will be assigned, it is estimated that it will be for the MLS champion 2024.

The four AFC spots will be for the teams established in the Asian Champions editions of 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in addition to the best placed in the ranking. Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia (2021) and Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan (2022) have already secured their participation as champions, while Ulsan from South Korea obtained their ticket due to their privileged position in the ranking. Now it was Crespo’s Al Ain’s turn.

In Africa and Oceania everything is defined. The system in Africa follows the same dynamic as in Asia, with the three teams winning the African Champions League and the best-placed team in the rankings. Thus, Al-Ahly of Egypt (2021) and Wydad Casablanca of Morocco (2022-23) have already secured their place. And, although the current edition has not yet been defined, Espérance from Tunisia and Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa got involved due to their performance over four years. In Oceania there are no returns either: the only place, dedicated to the champion of the Oceania Champions but who also has the best OFC ranking, is for Auckland City of New Zealand.

1. Copa Libertadores Champion 2024
2. 2nd best in the Conmebol ranking
3. Concachampions 2024 Champion
4. United States Host

• Palmeiras (Brazil)*
• Flamengo (Brazil)*
• Fluminense (Brazil)*
• River (Argentina)

• Chelsea (England)*
• Real Madrid (Spain)*
• Manchester City (England)*
• Bayern Munich (Germany)
• PSG (France)
• Inter Milan (Italy)
• Porto (Portugal)
• Benfica (Portugal)
• Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
• Juventus (Italy)
• Atlético de Madrid (Spain)
• Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)

• Rayados de Monterrey (Mexico)*
• Seattle Sounders (United States)*
• Club León (Mexico)*

• Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)*
• Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)*
• Al Ain (United Arab Emirates)*
• Ulsan (South Korea)

• Al Ahly (Egypt)*
• Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)*
• Esperance (Tunisia)
• Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

• Auckland City (New Zealand)

*Champions of their respective continental competitions in the period between 2021 and 2024