FIFA announced a new, expanded Club World Cup will be played in the USA in 2025, but while Inter have practically booked their spot, Milan, Napoli and Juventus are in the running to join them.
It used to be only the Intercontinental Cup, which was a single match on neutral turf between the winners of the Champions League in Europe and the Copa Libertadores in South America.
However, FIFA have been gradually expanding it and will now reach 32 teams in the summer of 2025, divided into eight groups of four sides.
While UEFA have 12 slots, CONMEBOL six, the ACF, CAF and CONCACAF four each and the OFC and host association one apiece, the actual criteria for qualification have still not been stabilised by UEFA.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport’s calculations, Inter have practically booked their spot in the competition due to their strong recent results in the Champions League.
The main contenders for the other Italian slot are Milan and Napoli, but the favourites are surprisingly Juventus, who are currently leading the chasing pack.
This might seem odd considering they are not even in Europe this season and last term went out of the Champions League in the group phase.
If only Champions League results over the four years leading up to the competition are taken into account, that does put Juve second behind Inter.
Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City have already guaranteed their place in the 2025 Club World Cup by winning the Champions League.
As there is a limit of two clubs per country, that should rule out other English sides.