Barcelona’s Late Attempt to Join FIFA Club World Cup Falls Short – Report
According to MARCA, Barcelona quietly lobbied FIFA for a spot in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup after uncertainty arose over Mexican side León’s participation.
While the Catalan club continues to promote the commercial benefits of their upcoming summer tour in Japan, they were reportedly in contact with FIFA behind the scenes, hoping to seize the opportunity created by León’s potential withdrawal. However, sources indicate that Barcelona’s approach came too late, and they missed out on a possible financial windfall of up to €115 million.
The newly formatted Club World Cup, currently taking place in the United States, includes 32 clubs who qualified based on competitive results over the past three years. One wildcard entry was reserved for a host nation representative—eventually granted to Inter Miami. León’s uncertain status opened the door for additional clubs to express interest, with Barcelona among those seeking late inclusion.
Barcelona did not qualify on sporting merit, but club executives reportedly made multiple appeals to FIFA, exploring alternative paths into the tournament. The motivation was largely financial, as the prize money available—exceeding even that of the UEFA Champions League—offered a substantial boost. Some participating clubs are expected to earn more than €100 million.
Although Barcelona will generate revenue from their tour of Japan, it falls well short of the €135 million that rivals Real Madrid could pocket through the Club World Cup.
With clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester City already making high-profile transfers in preparation for next season, the financial disparity between top European clubs could become even more pronounced.
Meanwhile, Barcelona are also facing internal concerns regarding a possible move for Nico Williams, with issues reportedly tied to payment structure and dressing room dynamics.
