How clubs qualified
UEFA's places at the expanded 32-team 2025 Club World Cup went to the four Champions League winners from 2021–2024, plus the best clubs by UEFA coefficient over that period, subject to a limit of two clubs per country (unless more than two won the Champions League).
England's two slots
Chelsea qualified as 2021 Champions League winners and Manchester City as 2023 winners. With the two-per-country cap in force, those two took England's places, leaving no automatic route for Liverpool.
Liverpool's near miss
Liverpool reached the 2022 Champions League final but lost to Real Madrid, and their coefficient ranking did not earn a spot ahead of the capped English entrants. Winning a future Champions League is the cleanest path back into the tournament.
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Frequently asked questions
Why isn't Liverpool in the Club World Cup?+
They didn't win the Champions League in 2021–2024 and England's two slots were taken.
Which English clubs qualified?+
Chelsea and Manchester City.
How many clubs can one country have?+
Usually two, unless more than two won the Champions League in the cycle.
Can Liverpool qualify in future?+
Yes — winning the Champions League is the most direct route.