2025 FIFA Club World Cup: Barcelona Reportedly Set To Be Handed Late Invitation To Participate

2025 FIFA Club World Cup: Barcelona Reportedly Set To Be Handed Late Invitation To Participate

  • Barcelona could receive a shock invitation to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after Club León's suspension
  • The winners of the newly revamped FIFA CWC stand to earn a massive financial boost of nearly €100 million
  • The Club World Cup kicks off on June 14, 2025, in the United States, and Barça might just be back in the mix of things

Don't miss out! Get your daily dose of sports news straight to your phone. Join YEN's Sports News channel on WhatsApp now!

In a dramatic twist to the lead-up for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, FC Barcelona may be handed a surprise lifeline to participate in the prestigious tournament.

This development comes after Mexican side Club León was suspended due to a conflict of interest involving its ownership, according to respected journalist David Faitelson, who boasts over 4.2 million followers on X.

Barcelona reportedly to be given late invitation to participate in 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after Club Leon disqualification
Barcelona are reportedly set to be given a late invitation to participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after Club Leon was disqualified. Image credit: Pedro Salado and Mattia Ozbot - Inter/Inter
Source: Getty Images

The suspension of Club León by FIFA, according to BBC, opens the door for Barcelona to potentially join the 32-team tournament in the United States, despite originally failing to qualify.

Read also

Key Real Madrid player becomes investor and co-owner of Championship club

Second chance for Barcelona

Barcelona was initially set to miss out on the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup due to their poor record in Europe over the years.

Under the revamped format, qualification was determined based on recent performances in international club competitions.

Despite the club’s strong 2024/25 season under new manager Hansi Flick, Barcelona did not accumulate enough UEFA coefficient points to secure one of the 12 European slots.

If the news is confirmed, it would increase the number of Spanish teams in the competition to three, after Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, who have allegedly taken a decision to allow Luka Modric to leave the club at the end of the 2024/25 season.

However, the sudden disqualification of Club León—owned by the same group that controls another qualified team, Pachuca, has created an unexpected vacancy.

FIFA is reportedly considering inviting Barcelona to fill the spot, offering them a route back into a tournament many believed was already beyond their grasp.

Read also

Bellingham & Real Madrid star 'involved in training ground 'fight' ahead of Arsenal tie

High stakes: €100 million on the line

Should Barcelona receive and accept the invitation, the financial implications would be significant.

The winners of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup are set to earn close to €100 million in prize money, making it one of the most lucrative competitions in club football.

Detailed view of the FIFA Club World Cup Trophy during the FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Tour at Duomo of Milan on April 11, 2025 in Milan, Italy
Detailed view of the FIFA Club World Cup Trophy during the FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Tour at Duomo of Milan on April 11, 2025 in Milan, Italy. Image credit: Mattia Ozbot - Inter/Inter
Source: Getty Images

With the club still recovering from recent economic difficulties, including salary cuts and a reduction in transfer market spending, the opportunity to compete for such a large sum could not come at a better time.

Flick’s Barça eyeing a treble

Under the guidance of Hansi Flick, Barcelona are enjoying a resurgent 2024/25 campaign. The team is currently chasing a historic treble, with strong performances in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League.

The potential invitation to the Club World Cup would serve as both a reward for the team's hard work and an additional challenge to test their quality against the best clubs from every continent.

Read also

Vinicius Jr sends strong message to Partey and Arsenal before UCL clash

With the tournament scheduled to begin on June 14, 2025, in the United States, the timing would perfectly align with Barcelona’s summer schedule and preseason planning.

Barcelona player's value drops drastically

YEN.com.gh earlier reported the shocking drop in market value of FC Barcelona's forward Ansu Fati.

The 22-year old was one of the highly-rated Barcelona players between 2019 and 2023, however, his development and reputation took a serious nosedive staring from the 2023/24 season.

The 10-capped Spanish international, who spent majority of last season on loan at Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion, has made just 4 appearances in the La Liga this season for Barcelona.

New feature: Сheck out news that is picked for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Gariba Raubil avatar

Gariba Raubil (Sports Editor) Gariba Raubil is a skilled content writer and journalist with over 14 years of experience in sports journalism. He is a CAF and FIFA-accredited reporter and has been a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) since 2020. He has covered several international tournaments including two All Africa Games in 2015 and 2023. He also reported on the 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and the 2018 Women’s AFCON. Email: gariba.raubil@yen.com.gh

Samuel Gitonga avatar

Samuel Gitonga (Copy editor) Samuel Gitonga is a Copy Editor at YEN.com.gh. He holds a Bachelor of Broadcast Journalism Degree from the Multimedia University of Kenya. He has over 7 years’ experience in the digital journalism industry. He started out his career at the Kenya News Agency and proceeded to work for several reputable media outlets in Nairobi.