Next year, FIFA will implement its new format of the Club World Cup, designed to include continental champions from a four-year range in between tournaments. In its old format, held yearly and featuring champions from just the previous season, the competition had mixed reviews about its necessity and relevance. FIFA is hoping that by including 32 teams in 2025, it can grow the tournament into one that is regarded on a similar level as the World Cup for national teams.

30 of the 32 berths for the 2025 tournament have been determined, with one of the remaining openings reserved for a South American club; the current edition of its continental championship, the Copa Libertadores, will have its final in November. The final opening is reserved for a team from the host country, the United States.

And not to be too subjective here, but there is one, and only one, correct answer.

In the last nine months, the Columbus Crew have added trophies by winning the MLS Cup and Leagues Cup, and they also reached the final of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Had they beaten Pachuca for the CONCACAF title, Columbus would already be in the field. The fact that they did beat Tigres UANL and Monterrey does show, however, that the club is capable of competing in high-profile competitions.

In previous Club World Cups, FIFA reserved an opening for the domestic champion of the host country; Columbus is currently in that position of defending champion, and are regarded as a favorite for the 2024 crown. Adding to that argument for the Crew is the fact that nearly half the teams in the field have qualified due to a four-year ranking accumluation.

So why would the Crew not be regarded as a shoo-in to the 2025 field? One word: Politics.

As of late August, it appears that the U.S. Soccer Federation will make a subjective decision on who will represent the host country. It is no secret that MLS Commissioner Don Garber and those associated with the Crew don’t have the best of relationships, dating back to when Garber sided with former owner Anthony Precourt’s plan to move the Crew to Austin, Texas in 2017. Though the Crew ultimately remained in Columbus, the bitter feelings remain and will likely stay for generations. Would Garber go for a situation where he thinks he has the last laugh, and urge decision makers (assuming he’s not one of them) to pick a team other than Columbus?

The story of the Columbus Crew is one that goes beyond just the happy ending of survival. They’ve experienced new levels of success on a domestic and continental stage, and have earned the right to test their mettle against the best in the world. It’s as clear as black and, well, gold.