Rangers could still be a part of the new lucrative FIFA Club World Cup in a few years.
However, there is work to be done if this is to be achieved by Philippe Clement and his team.
The new club tournament was announced during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. FIFA president Gianni Infantino made the reveal.
Starting from June 2025, in the United States, a competition featuring 32 teams will take place every four years.
Teams from throughout the globe will take part, however, there's a particularly healthy allowance for European sides.
Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City and this season's Champions League winners will automatically qualify. They will be joined by the next eight highest-ranked teams as per UEFA's coefficient between the years 2021 and 2024.
Only two teams will be allowed per country, but it has not exactly been determined how the participants of the tournament will be decided just yet.
As it stands, it looks likely to be determined by overall UEFA coefficient points. So, that would currently include Chelsea, Real Madrid, Man City, Bayern Munich, Roma, Inter Milan, PSG, Villarreal, RB Leipzig, Porto and Benfica.
If one of these clubs were to win the Champions League this season, then this is where Rangers could benefit and qualify for the tournament, as one of the Ibrox side, Feyenoord, Ajax and Club Brugge would then be involved.
So, in order to keep this option alive, and to prevail ahead of the aforementioned teams waiting in the wings, Clement must ensure Rangers rack up as many coefficient points as possible out of those remaining.
To do this, a run in the Europa League knockouts would be the most plausible way to keep the points total in a healthy position.
If participants were to be determined and judged on Champions League points, Rangers would certainly miss out.
