RB Leipzig's Champions League round of 16 exit at Real Madrid has finally helped Borussia Dortmund secure a place at the 2025 Club World Cup. With the 1:1 (0:0) draw on Wednesday evening at the Spanish record champions, who had won the first leg 1:0, the Saxons lost their last chance to take part in the tournament from June 15 to July 13, 2025 in the USA. BVB, on the other hand, can plan for the FIFA competition regardless of their performance in the second leg of the round of 16 against PSV Eindhoven next Wednesday (21:00/DAZN).
The gap between Leipzig (61) and BVB (68) can no longer be closed. A win earns two points, a draw one. A further point is awarded for each further round reached in the knockout phase.
For the Club World Cup, which has been expanded to 32 teams, 19 teams had already qualified before the round of 16 in the Champions League, including FC Bayern Munich. 13 teams secured their ticket by winning their continent's Champions League format between 2021 and 2024. A further six are in through their confederation's four-year ranking.
EUEFA is entitled to twelve places. One of these goes to the winner of this year's top flight. The other clubs reach the World Cup via the rankings. A maximum of two clubs per country are allowed to take part. The distribution of bonuses is not yet official.
"We find the format exciting. It would be exciting to be part of the Club World Cup, and then in the country where the World Cup will be played a year later," commented BVB marketing director Carsten Cramer during Dortmund's 1-1 draw in the first leg of the round of 16 against Eindhoven.
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