FIFA is all set to roll out its latest flagship tournament in club soccer. Led by President, Gianni Infantino, the governing body of global soccer announced the new format of the FIFA Club World Cup in 2022. The expanded tournament will be underway with the first edition in the United States of America during June and July of 2025, wherein 32 clubs will compete to be crowned world champions.
The FIFA World Club World Cup is an annual tournament held between the continental winners of the primary club competitions. Held over a period of two weeks, the event attracts millions of eyes and has done a great deal in promoting soccer in various parts of the globe. Real Madrid are the successful side, with five victories to their name. The new format of the competition, however, has invited backlash from multiple sections of the game, creating uncertainty over its future.
Carlo Ancelotti makes a bold claim against the FIFA Club World Cup
Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid were supposed to head into the inaugural revised format of the FIFA Club World Cup as the European champions. Nonetheless, the Italian manager has provided his verdict on the new format, “The new Club World Cup? Real Madrid, like other clubs, will reject the invitation.” Ancelotti‘s statements have yet again sparked a debate regarding the need for additional matches in an already stacked club soccer calendar.
FIFA has already faced severe retaliation for its decision to broaden the competition. The majority of the concern can be attributed directly to the players’ fitness, sharpness, and fatigue levels. Numerous athletes have already expressed their discontent, citing the risk of depleted mental health due to the lack of break and recovery time.
The new format of the FIFA Club World Cup
FIFA’s plan to expand the Club World Cup can be traced way back to late 2016. Set to be held every four years, the new format will include 32 teams from all over the globe, divided into eight groups of four teams each. The group stage will witness games occur in the single-game round-robin format. The top two clubs from each group will advance to the knockout stages, which will be held as standalone fixtures.
Unsurprisingly, UEFA will have the highest representation in the new FIFA Club World Cup with a total of 12 clubs heading to the United States. CONMEBOL, the official governing body in South America, will be represented by six teams. The rest 14 sides will be traveling from Asia, Africa, Oceania, and North America, and one from the host country, the USA.