FIFA has officially approved 32 teams for the 2025 edition of the Club World Cup. The latest version of the competition consisted of just seven clubs. Due to the planned expansion, the governing body of the world sport will also change the timeframe of the tournament.
For the 2025 Club World Cup, 32 players will be divided into a total of 8 groups. This means each group has his four clubs. The new format is basically similar to World Cup and UEFA Champions League tournaments.
UEFA has the most teams in the competition with 12. South America’s CONMEBOL will have six teams, while AFC, CAF and CONCACAF will have four teams each. There will also be one OFC team and another from the host country.
Summer 2025 Club World Cup limits potential hosts
Traditionally, tournaments are held in winter. However, FIFA plans to hold the 2025 Club World Cup in the summer. This could also rule out certain Middle Eastern countries from hosting the Games. The United States emerged as one of the rumored venues for the tournament.
Morocco were the latest hosts as Real Madrid extended their record wins in the tournament to five.
Leagues and player organizations not happy with decision
Expansion announcements aren’t exciting for everyone. The World League Forum, an association of 40 professional soccer leagues, claimed the move would harm the sport.
“With the calendar already overloaded by long-running domestic club competitions and ever-expanding international competitions, FIFA’s decision creates the risk of crowded matches, further player injuries and a distortion of the competitive balance. .”
FIFPRO, the global players’ representative body, also previously had strong words against governing bodies. , claimed to have done so unilaterally.
“Again, the decision to expand the competition without implementing adequate safeguards is short-sighted and does not pay attention to player health and performance.”
PHOTO: IMO / Sports Press Photo