The Champions League exit has a bitter aftertaste for RB Leipzig in two respects. But another Bundesliga club should be happy.
RB Leipzig’s elimination in the round of 16 of the Champions League at Real Madrid has finally helped Borussia Dortmund secure a place in the 2025 Club World Cup. With the 1-1 (0-0) draw against the Spanish record champions, who had won the first leg 1-0, the Saxons lost their last chance of taking part in the tournament from June 15th to July 13th, 2025 in the USA.
On the other hand, BVB can plan for the FIFA competition regardless of their performance in the second leg of the round of 16 of the premier class next Wednesday against PSV Eindhoven. The current gap between Leipzig (61) and BVB (68) can no longer be made up. A win gives you two points, a draw gives you one. There is another point for each additional round that you reach in the knockout phase.
Before the round of 16 in the Champions League, 19 teams had already qualified for the Club World Cup, which had been expanded to 32 teams, including FC Bayern Munich. 13 teams secured their ticket by winning between 2021 and 2024 in their continent’s respective Champions League format. Another six are there through their confederation’s four-year rankings.
BVB marketing director: “We find the format exciting”
UEFA has twelve places. One of them goes to the winner of this year’s premier class. The other clubs reach the World Cup via the ranking list. A maximum of two clubs are allowed to participate per country. The bonus distribution is not yet official.
“We find the format exciting. It would be exciting to be there at the Club World Cup and then in the country where the World Cup will be played a year later,” said BVB marketing director Carsten Cramer at the 1-1 draw Dortmund commented on the first leg of the round of 16 against Eindhoven.