Borussia Dortmund are set to play in the Club World Cup despite losing the Champions League final. Here’s why.
On Saturday Real Madrid won a 15th Champions League crown, beating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley.
Despite a spirited performance from the Bundesliga side, Carlo Ancelotti’s men secured the record-extending victory with second-half goals through Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr.
But despite Dortmund losing the final, they are set to compete in an extended version of the Club World Cup next summer.
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The European representative for the Club World Cup used to be the winner of the Champions League.
However, FIFA has expanded the competition, with 12 European clubs set to take part in a 32-team tournament between June 15 and July 13, 2025. The tournament will include sides from FIFA’s six confederations and take place in various US cities.
Dortmund confirmed their place in the competition alongside Bayern Munich back in March, because of their four-year UEFA coefficient rankings.
The 12 UEFA clubs set to be involved in the tournament are Chelsea, Real, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, PSG, Inter, Porto, Benfica, Dortmund, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, and Red Bull Salzburg.
Elsewhere, among the Real Madrid players to win their first Champions League on Saturday was Jude Bellingham. The 20-year-old, who was named La Liga Player of the Year, was playing against his former side in the final, having spent three seasons at Dortmund before moving to Real.
Upon winning his first-ever Champions League, Jude Bellingham said: "I've always dreamt of playing in these games.
“You go through life with people telling you that you can't do things. Days like this remind you. It gets hard sometimes and you wonder whether it's worth it but nights like this make you realise.
"I was alright until I saw my mum and dad. Nights like where they could have been at home by 7 o'clock but they're out until 12 on trips to take me to football.
“And my little brother who I'm trying to be a role model for. The best night of my life."
Topics: Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, Champions League, Jude Bellingham, FIFA
Chris Byfield