Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti recently announced that the club will not be participating in the first edition of FIFA’s new Club World Cup tournament next summer. The decision was made primarily due to a lack of financial incentive which Ancelotti highlighted in an interview with Italian newspaper Il Giornale. Madrid, along with undisclosed clubs, are opting out of the expanded competition scheduled to take place in the United States in June and July 2025. The tournament is set to feature 32 teams from different continents including Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania.
Ancelotti emphasized the disparity between the potential earnings from a single Real Madrid game, estimated at €20 million, and the amount FIFA intends to distribute for the entire competition. He expressed his viewpoint by stating, “Players and clubs won’t participate in that tournament. One single Real Madrid game is worth €20 million, and FIFA want to give us that amount for the entire competition. Negative. Just like us, other clubs will refuse the invitation.”
FIFA’s Revamped Club World Cup
The revamped FIFA Club World Cup is a key initiative for the global governing body of football, designed to rival the success of prestigious club competitions like the Champions League and the Copa Libertadores. The most recent edition of the previous Club World Cup format held in Saudi Arabia in December 2023 featured only seven teams and was won by Manchester City who emerged victorious against Brazilian side Fluminense in the final. The new format, introduced in 2022, aims to include a broader representation with 12 teams from UEFA, six from CONMEBOL, four each from CONCACAF, CAF, and the AFC, one from Oceania’s OFC, and one from the host nation.
Teams can earn qualification through either a “champions pathway,” by winning their continent’s club competition, or a “ranking pathway” based on historical performance. However, the revamp has faced criticism from domestic leagues and players’ unions who are concerned about players being overstressed by the increased number of games. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in response to these concerns, argued that the organization only manages a small percentage of the matches played globally and that FIFA’s involvement is crucial in funding football activities worldwide.
Ancelotti’s Vacation Plans and Player Convincement
Currently on holiday in Vancouver, Canada, Ancelotti remains optimistic about convincing midfielder Toni Kroos to reconsider his retirement plans. Kroos had announced his intentions to retire after participating in the European Championship with the German national team this summer. Ancelotti, who guided Real Madrid to a Champions League and LaLiga double in the previous season, aims to persuade Kroos to prolong his playing career.
Despite the allure of the new FIFA Club World Cup tournament, Real Madrid under the leadership of Carlo Ancelotti has taken a firm stance against participation, prioritizing financial considerations. As the football landscape continues to evolve, the decisions made by top clubs like Real Madrid may influence the future directions and structures of global football competitions.
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