The 2025 Club World Cup begins Sunday, but stars like Ronaldo, Salah, and clubs like Barcelona will miss out. Find out why.
Club World Cup 2025: A Star-Studded Event Missing Its Biggest Names
Club World Cup 2025 Kicks Off Without Ronaldo, Salah, and Barcelona
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is set to begin on Sunday, June 15, with a high-profile opener between Inter Miami and Al Ally. While the tournament promises thrilling football action, the absence of several elite players and iconic clubs has left fans disappointed.
Why Are Ronaldo, Salah, and Barcelona Missing?
Unlike previous editions, this year’s Club World Cup follows strict qualification rules, leaving out some of football’s biggest stars and most popular teams.
Qualification Rules Explained
Only clubs that won continental titles (UCL, Copa Libertadores, etc.) between 2021-2024 qualified.
A maximum of two clubs per country are allowed.
Remaining spots were filled based on UEFA club rankings.
This means:
✅ Real Madrid, Man City, Chelsea qualified as Champions League winners.
❌ Barcelona, Liverpool, Napoli missed out due to ranking limits.
Big Names Watching from the Sidelines
Due to their clubs' exclusion, several superstars won’t feature:
Cristiano Ronaldo (No Saudi club qualified)
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool didn’t make the cut)
Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski (Barcelona excluded)
Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli not in the tournament)
Ronaldo’s absence has sparked debate, with reports suggesting South American clubs explored signing him temporarily—but no deal materialized.
Who’s Playing Instead
Despite the missing stars, the tournament still features elite teams:
Europe: Real Madrid, Man City, Bayern Munich, PSG
South America: Flamenco, Palmira
Host (USA): Inter Miami (Lionel Messi’s team)
Will the Tournament Suffer Without These Stars?
While the Club World Cup remains prestigious, the absence of global icons like Ronaldo and Salah could impact viewership. However, the presence of Messi, VinÃcius Jr., and Haaland ensures excitement.
FAQ: Club World Cup 2025
Q: When does the Club World Cup start?
A: June 15, 2025, with Inter Miami vs. Al Ally.
Q: Why isn’t Ronaldo playing?
A: No club he’s associated with qualified, and no late transfers were approved.
Q: Why did Barcelona miss out?
A: Spain’s limit (2 clubs) and Barça’s lower UEFA ranking excluded them.
Q: Which stars won’t be there?
A: Ronaldo, Salah, Lewandowski, De Bruce, Neymar, and Jamal.
Q: Which European clubs are playing?
A: Real Madrid, Man City, Chelsea, Bavaria, PSG, Atlético, Juventus, Inter Milan.