Few years in the wilderness, Barcelona has gradually but surely regained their position as the top team in Spain during the last two seasons. Alongside their consecutive La Liga victories, they have also had some excellent Champions League appearances.
The Catalan team has made it to the quarterfinals and semifinals in the two seasons under Hansi Flick. This has left them in a very good position to qualify for the 2029 Club World Cup, even though the ultimate ambition of returning the trophy to Camp Nou has not yet been realized.
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid represented Spain in the 2025 Club World Cup, which Barcelona was not able to participate in due to poor Champions League results from 2021 to 2024. Barcelona last participated in the competition in 2015, following their Champions League victory in 2014–15. They defeated River Plate 3-0 in the final to win the event in Japan on that particular occasion.
Barcelona well placed for Club World Cup qualification
In the previous format, European teams could only compete in the Club World Cup if they won the Champions League. The competition was conducted annually. But before the 2025 edition, it was redesigned, increased to 32 teams, and set to take place once every four years.
Barcelona presently has 73 points, well ahead of Atletico’s 59 and Real Madrid’s 57. Under the new system, FIFA considers Champions League winners and UEFA standings across a four-year cycle. Barcelona has a significant advantage because only two Spanish teams are eligible to compete in the Club World Cup.
However, winning the Champions League in 2027 or 2028 would grant them a straight entry to the Club World Cup, which would also make their lives simpler.
The Catalan club will be eager to qualify for the 2029 edition, either by placing first among the Spanish clubs in the UEFA rankings or by going all the way and winning the Champions League in the upcoming seasons, as the tournament is expected to generate substantial revenue for the participating teams.
