FIFA has approved a revised club world cup format which will be played starting 2021. The new competition which will happen once in four years will see 24 clubs compete from around the world. It is currently held every December and features seven teams from six confederations
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he was “extremely happy” after the Fifa Council backed his plan on Friday. “Now the world will see a real Club World Cup where fans will see the best teams in the world compete to be crowned the real world champions,” he said. Although not everyone is happy as the European Club Association (ECA) has threatened to boycott the tournament.
The ECA, which represents 232 of the continent’s leading sides, Europe’s governing body Uefa and the world players’ union, FIFPro, are all unhappy with what they claim is a lack of consultation in regard to the congested global calendar and Gianni Infantino’s financial plans for the new tournament. In a letter that was leaked on Friday, the ECA’s executive board, including board members at Barcelona, Juventus, Manchester United, and Real Madrid, said they would not take part in any new competition until 2024 at the earliest. The ECA could even consider suing Fifa if it ignores its 2015 deal on the international match calendar.
The new tournament will feature eight European clubs, six teams from South America, three each from Africa, Asia and North and Central America and one from Oceania. It has been suggested each club could earn £50m from taking part. The tournament would be held instead of the Confederations Cup in June 2021. Although no host nation has been decided yet.
A revamped global club level competition is the need of the hour. Let’s hope FIFA & all the stakeholders work things out soon. Which clubs would you like to see compete in the Club World Cup? Tell us in the comments section.
