Chelsea Win Club World Cup – But Must Qualify Again for 2029 Edition

 Chelsea Win Club World Cup – But Must Qualify Again for 2029 Edition

Chelsea Football Club won the Club World Cup last night, taking home the trophy, a golden badge to wear for four years, and a big prize. But that win does not mean they are automatically going to the next tournament in 2029.

FIFA has changed the format of the Club World Cup. It will now happen once every four years and include more teams. Qualification is now based on recent performances in continental tournaments and UEFA club rankings  not past wins.

So far, four clubs have already qualified for the 2029 edition:

PSG (France) – current UEFA Champions League holders and top in UEFA rankings

Cruz Azul (Mexico) – qualified as top team from CONCACAF

Pyramids FC (Egypt) – won the CAF Champions League

Al Ahli (Saudi Arabia) – champions of the AFC Champions League

Other slots will be filled based on winners of future continental competitions and global club rankings. Europe and South America will have the most teams, with extra slots also going to the host nation of the 2029 tournament.

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Winning the trophy this year was a proud moment, but Chelsea still has work to do if they want to play in the 2029 Club World Cup. To qualify, they will need to either win the UEFA Champions League again between now and 2028 or build enough UEFA coefficient points by consistently reaching the semifinals or further.

Europe’s spots will go to the next four Champions League winners (2025 to 2028), plus clubs with the highest rankings. South America will follow a similar process through the Copa Libertadores.

If Chelsea want a seat at the 2029 table, they must deliver on the biggest stage again  not just once, but consistently. The badge may be golden, but qualification must still be earned.