Real Madrid's coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has stirred the footballing world by announcing that the team will not participate in the new format of the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. The tournament is set to feature 32 teams and will take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13. Ancelotti stated that the Royal team, alongside other top clubs, will reject the invitation proposed by FIFA.
In an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Giornale, Ancelotti remarked, "Real Madrid will not go to participate in the Club World Cup, and we will reject the invitation like other clubs. Just one match for Real Madrid is worth 20 million euros, and the International Federation wants to give us this amount for the entire tournament. This is impossible." The veteran Italian coach emphasized that the financial compensation offered by FIFA does not align with the club's expectations.
The newly restructured Club World Cup aims to bring together the champions of the six continents, including the winners of the last four Champions League seasons. Notable clubs such as Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester City are expected to participate. Additionally, other European clubs based on their performance over the last four seasons, like PSG, Bayern Munich, and Juventus, are also slated to join. However, the refusal of Real Madrid and potentially other clubs marks a significant challenge for FIFA's ambitions.
In addition to the tournament controversy, Ancelotti touched on the topic of German star midfielder Toni Kroos, who announced his retirement after the Euro 2024 tournament. Ancelotti revealed, "I have already spoken with Toni Kroos, and I told him that if he changes his mind in the coming months, one phone call will be enough for us to start working again."
- FIFA's aspiration for the Club World Cup is to elevate its prestige to a level comparable to the FIFA World Cup for national teams. The reformation is an attempt to inject more excitement and followership into a competition that has so far seen limited global interest.
- This reform marks an important milestone in FIFA's efforts to innovate and expand the horizons of global football tournaments. With an expanded team roster and a more competitive format, it remains to be seen how FIFA will address the concerns raised by top European clubs regarding financial and scheduling issues.
- The stance of major teams like Real Madrid is critical as it could set a precedent affecting the participation of other big clubs in global tournaments. The ongoing dialogue between FIFA and the clubs will likely shape the future landscape of international club competitions.
