Explained: Why Man Utd and Liverpool are unable to feature at inaugural Club World Cup - with Arsenal’s hopes hanging by a thread - as FIFA announce restrictions for tournament in 2025

At a meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the FIFA Council decided that no more than two clubs from the same nation can take part in the tournament. The revamped Club World Cup will take place in the United States, starting on June 15 and concluding on July 13.

12 European clubs will qualify for the competition, including the winners of the UEFA Champions League from 2021 to 2024. Chelsea and Manchester City were crowned European champions in 2021 and 2023 respectively, meaning they have already secured the two English spots. The only way three English teams can take part is if Arsenal win this season's Champions League. Therefore, United and Liverpool are guaranteed to miss out.

Along with City and Chelsea, Real Madrid will feature in the US thanks to winning the Champions League in 2022. Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Porto and Benfica are guaranteed to be five of the other eight European sides that qualify through UEFA rankings based on historic performances in the Champions League.

The 2025 CWC will feature eight groups of four teams, with two sides from each group progressing to the last-16. United and Liverpool will now miss out on a potential prize fund of up to £50 million ($63m).

The two Premier League giants will hope to be involved in the following edition of the expanded Club World Cup in 2029. In the meantime, Liverpool will focus on trying to topple City's Premier League dynasty while United attempt to keep pace with European football's elite.