Confirmed first 5 teams for Club World Cup 2029: Real Madrid and Man City still 'missing'

The FIFA Club World Cup 2029 has named the initial five teams, where Europe holds just a single slot and prominent clubs such as Real Madrid and Man City have not appeared yet.

FIFA Club World Cup 2029 Although the tournament is nearly four years away, the initial list of participating clubs is becoming clearer following the conclusion of continental championships. So far, five clubs have secured their places, representing South America, Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia. Notably, Europe — traditionally the strongest region — has contributed only one team so far.

The first ticket went to PSG after they won the 2024/25 Champions League. This spot is reserved for the European champions, and PSG’s early qualification sets the path for three more champions from 2026 to 2028. However, giants like Real Madrid and Manchester City must accumulate points over four years or win the Champions League in upcoming seasons to qualify.

In South America, Flamengo became the fifth representative by defeating Palmeiras 1-0 in the 2025 Copa Libertadores final at the Monumental stadium. CONMEBOL will have a total of six slots: four for Libertadores champions and two based on accumulated performance.

In North, Central America and the Caribbean, Cruz Azul (Mexico) earned their place by winning the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup. This title marks a strong comeback for the Mexican club on the regional stage.

The 2025 CAF Champions League crowned Pyramids (Egypt) as champions, making them the first African representative for FIFA Club World Cup 2029. With four slots allocated to the continent, the competition in upcoming seasons promises to be fierce.

Asia has also named its first team: Al Ahli from Saudi Arabia. They won the 2024-2025 AFC Champions League, becoming the Asian representative in the expanded 32-team tournament.

Although five teams have qualified, the host country for FIFA Club World Cup 2029 has yet to be announced. Nevertheless, the tournament’s appeal is expected to rise significantly with the new format likely to spark intense competition among the world’s top clubs.

According to the slot distribution, UEFA holds up to 12 places — including four Champions League winners from 2025 to 2028 and eight teams with the highest points over four years. This will create an extremely competitive environment where traditional clubs must demonstrate long-term consistency.

Looking at the current list, FIFA Club World Cup 2029 is shaping up to be a diverse and exciting event. With only PSG representing Europe so far, the chances for Real Madrid, Manchester City, or Bayern Munich will depend on their performances in the coming seasons. The anticipation is higher than ever.

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