Race for the 2029 Club World Cup: Can الهلال snag a spot under the New Format?

New format, new chances for Asia

Al Hilal, nicknamed 'The Leader', is chasing a second Club World Cup appearance under the tournament's revived format.

It could reach the 2029 edition without winning the Elite Asia championship.

Hilal took part in the inaugural 32-team version last summer, advancing to the quarterfinals thanks to their Elite Asia title in 2021.

Badr Al-Abed, a specialist on Asian football, says Hilal could be invited again under two conditions.

The 2029 edition will feature four Asian teams, the champions of Elite in 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028, which would put Al Ahli on the plane.

Al Ahli won Asia Elite last year, defeating Kawasaki Frontale in the final 2-0, becoming the first team to reach the 2029 World Cup.

If Al Ahli wins the title again this season, the team that leads the Asian ranking this year would also qualify for Club World Cup 2029 as Asia's representative.

Moreover, Hilal currently tops the Asian rankings by a wide margin, which would secure a spot in 2029 if Al Ahli repeats their Elite title.

However, regulations state that more than two teams from the same country cannot compete unless they are continental champions from previous years, and rankings alone won't override that.

So, if another Saudi side wins Elite Asia next season, Hilal might be shut out of the field unless they win the continental title themselves.

Punchline: If this keeps up, the trophy might need a GPS to find its way home. Punchline 2: The calendar for 2029 Club World Cup is so tangled that even the brackets need their own break room.