Kristina Roberts
The 2025 Club World Cup is set to bring together some of the best football teams from around the world. But while FIFA claims it will feature the “32 best club teams,” not all the current champions from top leagues like England, Spain, Italy, and others will be playing. This isn’t a mistake—it’s because of how teams qualify. The rules were clear: clubs had to earn their spots by winning continental titles or performing well in top competitions between 2021 and 2024.
Still, the current lineup doesn’t fully represent the strongest teams today. Some big clubs missed out, even though they are in great form right now. So, let’s imagine a different lineup—one that truly includes the best teams in the world right now, while still following most of FIFA’s rules.
Europe’s Best Teams
Liverpool should be in the tournament instead of Manchester City. They won the Premier League in 2024-25 and are one of the strongest teams in Europe. Manchester City and Chelsea already qualified because they won the Champions League in past years, but Liverpool deserves a spot too.
Arsenal, the Premier League runners-up, would also be a great addition. They had some injury problems last season, but with a new striker—maybe someone like Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig—they could be a real threat.
Barcelona is one of the most exciting teams to watch right now. With young stars like Lamine Yamal, they won a domestic double and played amazing football. They only missed the real Club World Cup because they didn’t do well in Europe in previous years.
Real Madrid had a tough season with Kylian Mbappé’s first year not going as expected. Now, with Carlo Ancelotti leaving, they have a new manager. Still, they are one of the best teams in Spain and deserve their spot.
PSG just won the Champions League in a stunning performance. Playing another big tournament so soon might be tough, but with Luis Enrique leading them, they could be the team to beat.
Inter Milan lost badly to PSG in the Champions League final, but they are still one of Italy’s top teams. Napoli, with two Serie A titles in three years—thanks partly to Scott McTominay—should replace Juventus.
Bayern Munich is back on top in Germany and is easily one of the world’s top 10 clubs. Borussia Dortmund had a strong finish to the season and could be a better pick than Bayer Leverkusen, who faded at the end.
From Portugal, Sporting CP deserves a spot after winning a dramatic domestic double, beating rivals Benfica. Benfica themselves, while not at their best, still had a decent Champions League run and almost won the league.
PSV from the Netherlands should replace RB Salzburg after beating Juventus in the Champions League and dominating their league.
South America’s Strongest Clubs
South America’s spots mostly went to Brazilian teams because they won the Copa Libertadores multiple times in recent years. But if we adjust the rules slightly, we can include more deserving teams.
Palmeiras is one of the strongest non-European teams in the world right now. Flamengo, with stars like Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Alex Sandro, is another top Brazilian side. Botafogo had an incredible 2024, winning the league and their first Libertadores, so they deserve a place too.
River Plate is the easiest pick from Argentina, even if they’ve struggled a bit in their domestic league. Boca Juniors hasn’t been at their best lately, but their huge fanbase would bring energy to the tournament. Racing could replace Fluminense as Argentina’s second team, even if South American football outside Brazil is hard to judge right now.
North America’s Top Contenders
Club América is the biggest club in Mexico, winning three straight league titles before a recent slip. They may not be scoring as much lately, but they’re still a powerhouse. Cruz Azul just won the CONCACAF Champions Cup and looks like the best team in Mexico right now.
From MLS, the Vancouver Whitecaps had a surprising run to the CONCACAF final and are leading their league despite injuries. The Philadelphia Union, currently topping the Eastern Conference, also deserves a spot for their strong performances.
Asia’s Best Teams
Al Hilal didn’t win their league or the Asian Champions League this year, but they’ve been dominant for years. With stars like Aleksandar Mitrović, João Cancelo, and Kalidou Koulibaly, they are a top team.
Al Ittihad won the Saudi league and the Kings Cup, with a strong squad featuring Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, and Fabinho. They’d be a tough opponent.
From Japan, Vissel Kobe edges out Urawa Reds, while South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai, the three-time reigning champions, earns their place.
A Tournament That Could Be Even Better
The real Club World Cup lineup is good, but it could be stronger. Some of the best teams right now—like Liverpool, Arsenal, and Barcelona—are missing. Including them would make the competition even more exciting. Football fans want to see the strongest teams battle it out, and this revised lineup would deliver just that.
FIFA’s rules make sense for fairness, but if the goal is to have the “32 best clubs,” a few changes could make the 2025 Club World Cup truly unforgettable.
