Barcelona‘s exit from the Champions League on Tuesday sent Atletico Madrid to the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup in the United States next year.
Europe will have 12 teams at the lucrative monthlong tournament — title winners of the Champions League in the four seasons through this one plus high-ranked teams based on overall results in the competition in this period.
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Barcelona began play Tuesday trailing Atletico in the rankings to take the second Club World Cup entry from Spain and lost 4-1 to Paris Saint-Germain in the home leg of their quarterfinals. Barcelona were eliminated 6-4 on aggregate.
Atletico also were eliminated from the Champions League losing 4-2 at Borussia Dortmund, and 5-4 on aggregate, but their Club World Cup place is secure.
