Barcelona take big steps towards qualifying for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup | OneFootball

Missing the inaugural edition of the FIFA Club World Cup was something of a financial blow for Barcelona, who could have used the additional revenue.

But as we slowly gear towards the next FIFA CWC, slated for 2029, the club remain in a favourable position, ahead of their Spanish rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

With the qualification cycle covering the four Champions League campaigns from 2024-25 to 2027-28, Barcelona have stormed into a commanding position.

Top of the Spanish ladder

As reported by Mundo Deportivo, the current ranking sees Barcelona occupy 3rd in the overall standings with 63 points. They trail only Arsenal (71 points) and Inter Milan (66 points).

The Blaugrana have established a significant cushion over their domestic rivals. While Barcelona is flying high, Real Madrid sits in 8th place with just 45 points.

Barcelona are in the driver’s seat to secure qualification to the 2029 FIFA Club World CUp. (Photo by Gabriel Kuchta/Getty Images)

This accounts for a staggering 18-point deficit compared to the Catalans. Atletico de Madrid follows closely in 9th with 43 points.

This turnaround is driven by consistent performance, especially under the appointment of a certain Hansi Flick.

Barcelona accumulated 41 points in the 2024-25 campaign and has already added 22 points in the current 2025-26 season. In contrast, Real Madrid earned just 27 points last year and has added only 18 so far this term.

Unless FIFA drastically alters the access criteria to allow more than two clubs per country, the race is on for the two Spanish slots.

With a run to the semifinals last season and a spot in the Round of 16 already secured this year, Barcelona are already threatening to build a lead that might become insurmountable for their rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.