FIFA has revealed that the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup scheduled for 2025 will take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13.
The tournament will include clubs from all six confederations, with Europe contributing 12 teams. Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester City have secured automatic qualification as the most recent Champions League victors within the four-year cycle. If Arsenal clinches the Champions League title this season, they will also join the competition.
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Bayern Munich, Paris St-Germain, Inter Milan, Porto, and Benfica have earned spots in the 2025 tournament through the coefficient pathway. FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed this development during a meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The revamped format will occupy the time slot traditionally reserved for the Confederations Cup, a year before the World Cup. FIFA stated that the summer dates were chosen to align with the international match calendar and allow ample rest before domestic seasons commence.
While the European Clubs’ Association supports the tournament, Maheta Molango, head of the Professional Footballers’ Association, criticized FIFA, claiming a disregard for player welfare. He argued that players have become casualties in the power struggle between football governing bodies and emphasized the need for a collaborative effort to create a sustainable calendar.
FIFPRO, the world players’ union, echoed concerns about the expanded competition, citing potential negative impacts on players’ personal lives, rest and recovery time, and the balance between national and international competitions.
FIFA also announced a new Intercontinental Cup starting in December 2024, where Champions League winners will face a team determined through intercontinental playoffs.
The current annual mid-season Club World Cup, featuring seven teams from six confederations, will see treble winners Manchester City facing Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds on December 19.
