In 2025, the Premier League (EPL) is represented by two teams in the Club World Cup: Manchester City and Chelsea. They earned their spots through UEFA Champions League victories in the qualifying period.
Below, 2hanBall will take you through how they qualified, what this expanded tournament looks like, how they’ve fared so far, and what it means for England’s global club prestige.
How many EPL teamsify and why
With the overhaul of the Club World Cup format in 2025, FIFA expanded the field from 7 clubs to 32 clubs. This increased size means more slots for Europe (UEFA), but still with rules about how many clubs.
- EPL clubs can qualify either by winning the UEFA Champions League during a defined eligibility window or via UEFA’s ranking of top-performing teams in European competition over that window.
- But there’s a cap: only two clubs per country are allowed, unless more have won the Champions League during the eligibility period. For England in 2025, that cap means only two Premier League sides make it.
Which EPL teams made it and how they qualified
Here are the details of the EPL representatives:
| Club | Qualification method |
| Manchester City | Qualified as winners of the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League. |
| Chelsea | Qualified as winners of the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League. |
So even though neither team was the EPL champion in the immediate previous season, their recent European triumphs earned them spots.
EPL teams groups & performance so far
In the 2025 Club World Cup, Manchester City and Chelsea are placed into different groups. Their group-stage experiences so far have been:
- Manchester City is in Group G alongside Juventus (Italy), Al Ain (UAE), and Wydad AC (Morocco).
- Chelsea is in Group D, competing with Flamengo (Brazil), Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia), and Los Angeles FC (USA).
Performance up to the group stage:
- Manchester City have looked strong, topping their group with convincing wins.
- Chelsea have had mixed results: a win over LAFC but also dropped points elsewhere.
Which big EPL clubs missed out
Some major names in English football are absent:
- Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal — despite their strong domestic and European histories — did not qualify for the 2025 Club World Cup. That’s because they didn’t meet the necessary criteria within the eligibility window. With only two English spots, City and Chelsea occupied them.
What this means for the Premier League
- Having two Premier League teams in this expanded global tournament helps showcase the EPL’s strength in Europe. City and Chelsea carry the flag for England.
- Their performances (especially if they go deep) will affect how fans and media perceive the EPL versus other top leagues (La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, etc.).
- The fact that only two clubs can qualify, even for a major league like England, raises stakes in the Champions League and European competitions: past performance really matters over multiple seasons.
Other qualified clubs overview (Europe & beyond)
To give context, besides Manchester City and Chelsea, several other European giants have qualified under the 12 slots allotted to UEFA. These include:
- Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Porto, Benfica, Red Bull Salzburg among others.
Why only two from the EPL despite multiple strong clubs
- The qualification rules limit two per country (unless more have won the Champions League in the eligible period). England had two clubs who met Champions League criteria in those seasons; others, even with high league finishes, didn’t.
- UEFA’s ranking system over a 4-year span determines many of the non-Champions-League-winning qualifying spots. Clubs that haven’t recently won or performed in the Champions League may fall short even if their domestic form is excellent.
Implications for fans & future EPL clubs
- For fans of Liverpool, United, Arsenal etc., this format adds urgency: success in Europe over multiple seasons is essential, not just domestic glory.
- Clubs will need to balance squad investments, rotation, and competition priorities (domestic cups, Premier League, Champions League) to secure Champions League success or high enough ranking.
- It also makes the Champions League history of clubs extremely relevant: past winners get long-term benefits.
Conclusion
What EPL teams are in the Club World Cup? In 2025, those teams are Manchester City and Chelsea. Their Champions League success in recent seasons secured their spots under the new 32-team format of the tournament. No other Premier League clubs made the cut, due to the cap, here’s what to watch next: how deep City and Chelsea can go, whether the Premier League maintains international prestige, and which clubs might break through in future editions.
Want more? If you like this kind of breakdown, especially with stats, history, and match insights, let me know — 2hanBall can deliver top-lists, player profiles, and upcoming match previews too!
