How Aston Villa could secure Club World Cup place and £28m+ payday for 2029
Unai Emery celebrating looking towards Chelsea winning the Club World Cup
Max Wilkins
Senior Correspondent
Aston Villa know exactly what they need to do if they are to book a place at the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup and unlock a potential payday north of £28 million. Under Unai Emery the club has already travelled a remarkable distance. The Spaniard has guided the Villans through the Conference League, the Europa League and into the Champions League, transforming a side once fighting relegation battles into consistent European contenders. Last season’s silverware only reinforced the sense of upward momentum, and there is genuine positivity as Villa prepare for another campaign among Europe’s elite.
Yet the financial reality remains stark. Despite the progress on the pitch, the claret and blue outfit still sit some distance behind the traditional powerhouses of the Premier League and the vast resources those clubs can deploy. A place at the expanded Club World Cup could change that equation dramatically. Qualification would not only deliver a substantial cash injection but also place Villa in front of a global audience in a way that few other competitions can match.
The 2025 edition of the tournament provided a clear illustration of both the opportunity and the controversy that now surrounds the competition. There was plenty of controversy surrounding the tournament in the summer of 2025. The new 32-team format caused a stir from the moment it was confirmed, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino made his presence felt at every turn. Critics argued that the expanded event further congested an already crowded calendar, increased the risk of player burnout, and prioritised commercial returns over sporting sustainability. Infantino, however, remained steadfast, framing the competition as a historic step that would give clubs from every confederation a genuine platform on the world stage.
Chelsea ultimately emerged as winners, securing a shock victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the final in New Jersey. The triumph delivered both silverware and significant financial reward, with reports suggesting the Blues earned between £85 million and £96 million from their run to the title. More importantly, it kept Chelsea in the global conversation during a period when their Premier League form had been inconsistent. For a club like Aston Villa, that kind of exposure and revenue would be transformative.
The pathway to the 2029 tournament is now clearer, though far from straightforward. Only 12 teams currently competing in the Champions League can qualify for the next edition through a ranking system based on results. Clubs earn three points for a win, one for a draw, three additional points for each knockout stage reached after the league phase, and a further 12 points for finishing in the top eight. According to a forecast from Football MD, as of 11 October Villa sit on 49 points and occupy 13th place in the ranking. They trail Manchester City by just three points and sit eight points behind Bayer Leverkusen on 57.
The decisive complication for Villa is the national quota. Only two clubs from any single country can progress to the Club World Cup via this ranking route. At present Arsenal and Liverpool hold the two English berths, leaving Emery’s side needing both strong results of their own and a significant drop-off from at least one of the current frontrunners. Closing a 35-point gap on Liverpool looks daunting on paper, yet the nature of the ranking system means that consistent progress in the Champions League, combined with any slip in form from the teams above them, could rapidly alter the picture.
Emery has already shown an ability to maximise limited resources and extract high-level performances from his squad. If Villa can maintain their competitive edge in Europe over the coming seasons, the mathematical possibility remains open. A sustained run to the latter stages of the Champions League would accelerate their climb up the ranking table, while any failure by Liverpool or Arsenal to match that consistency would open the door. The margin for error is slim, but the potential reward is substantial.
Participation alone is reported to be worth between £9.5 million and £28.5 million, depending on a club’s ranking and commercial agreements. Progression beyond the group stage brings further payments, and the eventual winners are said to receive around £31 million in pure prize money. Chelsea’s total haul from their 2025 triumph demonstrates how lucrative a deep run can become once broadcasting, sponsorship and performance bonuses are factored in. For Aston Villa, even the lower end of the participation fee would represent a meaningful boost to the balance sheet. Reaching the latter stages would be genuinely game-changing.
Beyond the pure finances lies an equally valuable prize: global visibility. The Club World Cup places clubs in front of new audiences across multiple continents. For a side still working to establish itself among Europe’s established elite, that exposure could accelerate commercial growth, attract new supporters, and help close the gap on the traditional “Big Six.” Revenue streams linked to merchandise, international broadcasting and sponsorship all stand to benefit from the elevated profile. In an era when financial fair play and sustainability regulations continue to shape transfer strategies, every additional pound of revenue matters.
None of this will be straightforward. Liverpool currently hold a clear advantage in the ranking, and Arsenal’s own European consistency makes them difficult to dislodge. Villa must continue to perform at a high level in the Champions League while hoping that circumstances elsewhere create an opening. Emery’s track record suggests he is capable of driving the necessary results, yet the club will also need a degree of fortune with injuries, form and the results of their rivals.
The 2025 tournament showed both the rewards on offer and the controversies that accompany FIFA’s expanded vision. Infantino’s determination to reshape the club calendar has created new opportunities for ambitious sides outside the traditional aristocracy of European football. Aston Villa, under Emery’s guidance, are better placed than at any point in recent history to seize one of those opportunities. Whether they can close the ranking gap and claim one of the two English places for 2029 remains an open question. What is certain is that the prize — a potential £28 million-plus payday and a place on the global stage — is large enough to make the pursuit worthwhile.
For a club that has already rewritten its recent history, the Club World Cup represents the next logical target. Success would not only deliver short-term financial gain but could also help reshape the long-term trajectory of Aston Villa. The roadmap is clear. The challenge is considerable. The potential reward, however, could prove transformative.