FIFA Strips Multiple Clubs of Club World Cup Titles, Recognizes Chelsea as First Champions

FIFA has restructured the Club World Cup into a 32-team tournament held every four years, with the 2025 edition won by Chelsea, who are now officially recognized as the first-ever Club World Cup champions. This change means all previous winners, including Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Barcelona, have been reclassified as 'FIFA Intercontinental Champions' rather than world champions. Chelsea's triumph over Paris Saint-Germain in the final marked a significant shift in status, as FIFA has retired the former Club World Cup titles, now referring to past editions as the Intercontinental Cup. The tournament's expansion and new format have led to a redefinition of historic titles, diminishing the world champion status of many prominent clubs. The 2029 Club World Cup is already set, with teams like PSG, Pyramids, Al Hilal, and Cruz Azul qualified through their continental championships. Notably, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania were present for the 2025 final, highlighting the event's prominence.