African giants Al Ahly have secured their slot at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup following FIFA’s announcement of the new 32-team format of the competition.
Following the FIFA council meeting in Rwanda on Tuesday, the body has announced new reforms to the format of the FIFA Club World Cup. In this new format, there will be 32 teams in the competition, replacing the current format of seven clubs.
Slot allocation has also changed with the new format, with Africa seeing an increase in the number of its representatives. 4 clubs from Africa, 12 clubs from Europe, 4 from South America, 4 from North America, 4 from Asia, 1 from Oceania, and 1 from the host nation.
Al Ahly guaranteed a slot for 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
According to FIFA, the new format of the FIFA Club World Cup will be held every four years starting in 2025, and new criteria will be utilized.
“For confederations with four slots, the champions of their confederation’s Champions League in the four-year period between 2021 and 2024 will be given a direct entry to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup,” FIFA’s statement read on their official website.
According to the new announcement, Al Ahly will play in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after winning the 2021 CAF Champions League, defeating South African side Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 in the final.
More representatives from Africa
Similarly, Wydad Casablanca, the 2022 CAFCL champions, have secured a spot, while the 2023 and 2024 CAFCL champions will join the already qualified two teams that will represent Africa in the 2025 FCWC.
Before then, there are two more editions that will be played using the current format, with Saudi Arabia hosting this year’s FCWC between December 12 and 22.