Five Global Football Superstars Missing from the FIFA Club World Cup 2025
The much-anticipated FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the United States is set to kick off with an expanded format, record prize money of $1 billion, and participation from top clubs around the world. However, despite the glamour and scale of the event, several of the game’s most iconic stars will be notably absent.
From legends like Cristiano Ronaldo to rising sensations like Lamine Yamal, some of football’s brightest names won’t be showcasing their talent on American soil this summer. Here’s a look at five major footballers who won’t be playing in the Club World Cup 2025 and the reasons behind their absence.
1. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Despite Liverpool finishing strong in the English Premier League and Salah enjoying yet another prolific season, the Reds did not qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. The complex and restrictive qualification process, which factors in past Champions League performances, left several elite teams out — including Liverpool, Barcelona, and Napoli.
Salah, the Egyptian winger who set a Premier League record for most goal involvements in a season (29 goals and 18 assists), is one of the most high-profile absentees. Known for his electrifying pace and sharp finishing, Salah has consistently been among Europe’s top forwards.
Following a draining season in which he struggled with fitness in the final months, Salah might quietly welcome the summer break. He recently shared a photo on Instagram, relaxing on a beach — a rare sight during such a high-profile football month.
Liverpool fans and neutral supporters alike will miss the opportunity to see Salah and other Anfield stars like Virgil van Dijk compete against world-class clubs, including a potential rematch with PSG, who ousted them from the Champions League. Transfer target Florian Wirtz, whose Bayer Leverkusen side also didn’t qualify, will miss out too.
Fans ask where Liverpool, Barcelona and Napoli are, as the 2025 Club World Cup will go ahead without the champions of England, Spain and Italy due to unclear qualifying rules.https://t.co/1r8aa9jK8t
— AJE Sport (@AJE_Sport) June 11, 2025
2. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
At just 17 years old, Lamine Yamal has emerged as one of the most exciting players in world football. The Barcelona sensation dazzled fans all season with his flair, dribbling ability, and penchant for spectacular goals.
With Barcelona missing out on the Club World Cup due to their Champions League shortcomings, Yamal is deprived of a massive international platform where he could’ve gone head-to-head with legends like Lionel Messi. The young Spaniard is widely regarded as a future Ballon d’Or contender and has drawn comparisons with Messi due to his creativity and left-footed brilliance.
Barcelona’s absence means other stars like Pedri, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski will also be missing. For fans, especially those in the United States eager to witness La Masia’s newest prodigy, Yamal’s absence is a huge letdown.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)
One of the most glaring omissions from the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is none other than Cristiano Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and one of football’s greatest icons. Despite his enduring form at 40 years of age and helping Portugal win the Nations League last weekend, Ronaldo’s club Al Nassr failed to qualify for the tournament.
There had been speculation that Ronaldo might transfer to a qualifying team just for the tournament. Even FIFA President Gianni Infantino hinted at potential discussions to enable Ronaldo’s participation. However, the legendary forward ultimately dismissed the idea, affirming his commitment to Al Nassr.
“Some teams reached out to me,” Ronaldo said on the eve of Portugal’s Nations League final. “Some made sense and others did not, but you can’t try and do everything. You can’t catch every ball.”
Fans were looking forward to a potential reunion on the pitch between Ronaldo and Messi — now playing for Inter Miami. Unfortunately, this long-standing rivalry will not take center stage in the United States, depriving the tournament of one of football’s greatest narratives.
Cristiano Ronaldo says he will not be at the Club World Cup this summer amid speculation about his future ❌ pic.twitter.com/8RS7X48TTE
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) June 7, 2025
4. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Arsenal’s dynamic winger Bukayo Saka will also be absent from the 2025 Club World Cup. Despite reaching the Champions League semi-finals and pushing Manchester City in a thrilling Premier League title race, the Gunners missed out on qualification due to the cumulative UEFA coefficient system used to determine Club World Cup participants.
Saka, now a fixture in both the England national team and the Arsenal lineup, has matured into one of the Premier League’s most consistent and versatile attackers. Still only 23, he’s already accumulated over 200 first-team appearances for Arsenal and was integral to their attacking thrust this past season.
With only one major club trophy to his name — the 2020 FA Cup — the Club World Cup would have been a valuable opportunity for silverware. Arsenal, too, will rue the missed financial opportunity, as the $1 billion prize pool could have provided a crucial boost in their efforts to close the gap with elite European clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester City.
5. Neymar Jr. (Santos)
Once considered among the top three players in the world alongside Messi and Ronaldo, Neymar is also not part of the Club World Cup 2025. After a difficult stint at Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, the Brazilian forward made a return to Santos earlier this year in an effort to regain form and fitness ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Now 33 and hampered by injuries, Neymar is still one of football’s most commercially valuable and technically gifted players. His absence from the Club World Cup is not just a blow for fans eager to watch him perform, but also for sponsors and broadcasters hoping to capitalize on his global appeal.
Brazilian midfielder Casemiro recently praised Neymar, saying: “Neymar, what can I say about him? He’s an outstanding player, who, for me, in my football cycle, is in the top three, with Cristiano and Messi.”
Despite his decline, Neymar remains a global icon, and his absence from such a grand stage will be keenly felt by fans around the world.
Neymar não consegue nem classificar o Santos contra o CRB na Copa do Brasil e tem gente achando que ele pode dar a Copa do Mundo pro Brasil kkkkkk pic.twitter.com/P1NROz6U4Y
— Olé do Brasil (@Oledobrasil) May 23, 2025
Final Thoughts
While the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 promises thrilling matches and world-class competition, the absence of stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Mohamed Salah, Bukayo Saka, Lamine Yamal, and Neymar leaves a significant void. Their unavailability highlights the challenges posed by the current qualification system and the unpredictable nature of club football.
For fans and broadcasters alike, the missing star power slightly dims the spectacle — but also serves as a reminder of football’s depth of talent and the ever-evolving landscape of the global game.
