FANS have been left stunned after Chelsea were announced as qualifiers for the expanded 2025 Fifa Club World Cup.
The tournament is set to undergo a major shake-up next year, with 32 teams now involved.
And surprisingly, Chelsea will be one of them joining Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG.
One fan reacted to the news: “Why is Chelsea there.”
Another said: “Chelsea finished 10th but still went to the Club World Cup.”
One added: “What are the criteria for qualification?”
Another agreed: “How did Chelsea qualify? What qualifying criteria did FIFA use?”
Despite mass confusion among fans, FIFA confirmed that 2021-2024 Champions League winners will qualify for the tournament.
And Chelsea won the European Cup just three years ago under the leadership of Thomas Tuchel.
Winners of “the most important club competition of each confederation” are also eligible, which explains the presence of Bayern Munich and PSG.
2025 FIFA Club World Cup teams to date
𝐀𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀
Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco)
Al Ahly SC (Egypt)
𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐀
Al Hilal SFC (Saudi Arabia)
Urawa red diamonds (Japan)
𝐄𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄
Chelsea (England)
Real Madrid (Spain)
Manchester City (England)
Bayern Munich (Germany)
PSG (France)
Inter Milan (Italy)
Porto (Portugal)
Benfica (Portugal)
𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇/𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀
CF Monterrey (Mexico)
Seattle Sounders FC (United States)
Club Leon (Mexico)
𝐎𝐂𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐀
Auckland City FC (New Zealand)
𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀
SE Palmeiras (Brazil)
CR Flamengo (Brazil)
Fluminense FC (Brazil)
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More information will be announced throughout 2024, including the trophy, host cities and the draw.
But for now, the first 19 parties have been announced and another 13 will be added.
The new 32-team tournament format will take place every four years with an extended international break merging the current September and October slots to accommodate the changes.
City – last season’s Champions League winners – are the current owners.