Arsenal’s exit from the Champions League has confirmed RB Salzburg’s spot in the FIFA Club World Cup. The Gunners needed a win to ensure their qualification, but fell to a 1-0 defeat against Bayern Munich in the second leg of their quarter final fixture.
As a result, Manchester City and Chelsea are the only Premier League clubs playing in the competition as winners of the Champions League over the past three years.
Arsenal fail to qualify for FIFA Club World Cup after Bayern loss
🚨 OFFICIAL: Arsenal are out of the Clubs’ World Cup after tonight.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 17, 2024
🇦🇹 RB Salzburg access to the World Cup.
🏴 Manchester City, Chelsea.
🇪🇸 Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid.
🇩🇪 Bayern, Borussia Dortmund.
🇫🇷 Paris Saint-Germain.
🇮🇹 Inter, Juventus.
🇵🇹 Benfica, Porto.
🇦🇹 Salzburg. pic.twitter.com/I8ljDZCQTN
The new format of the FIFA Club World Cup will consist of 32 teams divided into eight groups of four, with the top two teams going into a knockout stage from the Round of 16. Here is the list of teams that has already qualified for the tournament:
EUROPE
Chelsea
Manchester City
Real Madrid
Bayern Munich
Paris Saint-Germain
Internazionale
FC Porto
Benfica
Borussia Dortmund
Juventus
Atletico Madrid
FC Salzburg
SOUTH AMERICA
Palmeiras
Flamengo
Fluminense
2024 Copa Libertadores winners
Two coefficient places TBD
CONCACAF
Monterrey
Seattle Sounders FC
León
2024 Concacaf Champions Cup winners
Host slot TBD
AFRICA
Al Ahly
Wydad Casablanca
2024 CAF Champions League winners
1 coefficient place TBD
ASIA
Al Hilal
Urawa Red Diamonds
2024 AFC Champions League winners
1 coefficient place TBD
OCEANIA
Auckland City
Arsenal not qualifying for the CWC might be a blessing in disguise, considering how packed the fixture schedule already is. They will have four competitions to play next season anyway, and adding a fifth would put much more stress on their players at a time when injuries are running rampant.
As a result, Salzburg might benefit more from qualification since their talents will receive much more exposure against teams from all around the world.
