Five leading clubs, including Brazil’s Flamengo, have secured early qualification for FIFA’s expanded 32-team Club World Cup, set for 2029.
Flamengo, a Brazilian powerhouse, secured its spot by winning the Copa Libertadores. The club is listed as the qualifier for the 2025 Libertadores winner’s slot.
Four other teams have also confirmed their participation in the inaugural expanded tournament. Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli qualified as the winner of the Asian Champions League 2024/2025.
Egypt’s Pyramids earned their place by winning the African Champions League 2024/2025. Mexico’s Cruz Azul secured a spot through their 2025 CONCACAF Champions League victory.
Paris Saint-Germain of France also qualified by winning the European Champions League 2024/2025.
The 2029 tournament will feature 32 teams, a significant expansion from previous editions. This format will allocate slots across six continental confederations and reserve one spot for the host nation.
Europe will receive the largest contingent with 12 entries. These include the winners of the UEFA Champions League from 2024/2025 through 2027/2028, plus eight teams based on UEFA’s four-year ranking system.
South America is allotted six spots. These will go to the Copa Libertadores champions from 2025 to 2028, and two additional teams based on CONMEBOL’s four-year ranking.
Asia, Africa, and CONCACAF will each send four teams. Each confederation’s Champions League winners from 2024/2025 through 2027/2028 will qualify.
Oceania will send one representative, the winner of its highest-ranked local championship over four years. The final spot is reserved for the tournament’s host.
FIFA has not yet announced the host for the 2029 event. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco are potential candidates to host. This could serve as a preparatory event for their joint hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The 2030 World Cup will also feature special centenary matches in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
In a separate competition, Chelsea previously won a 2025 edition of an expanded club tournament. However, FIFA has not confirmed if this victory grants them automatic qualification for the 2029 Club World Cup as defending champions.
Flamengo’s Copa Libertadores victory also secured them a place in the separate Intercontinental Cup, a new competition uniting six continental champions.
This tournament began in September. Flamengo is scheduled to play Cruz Azul on December 10.
The winner of that match will face Pyramids on December 13. The eventual victor will then advance to the final against Paris Saint-Germain on December 17. PSG received a direct bye to the final match.