FIFA announces dates for revamped club world cup

Saudi Arabia, 

Sunday, 17 December, 2023 

McCreadie Andias 

FIFA has confirmed that the revamped Club World Cup in USA will debut from 15 June to 13 July 2025. 

The new Format will feature a set of 32 teams across thr globe while a new Intercontinental Cup will be played annually from next year, Gianni Infantino, the head of world soccer's governing body, said on Sunday.

The Council met in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia to ratify the dates for the Club World Cup and confirmed next year's Intercontinental Cup would have the UEFA Champions League winner playing a team that comes through intercontinental playoffs.

The playoffs will be played on Dec. 14, 2024, followed by the final on Dec. 18.

"The (Club World Cup) tournament will feature all current confederation premier club competition champions," FIFA President Infantino said.

"(It) concludes with a final at a neutral venue between the UEFA Champions League winners and the winners of an intercontinental play-off between clubs from the other confederations."

The 2025 edition of the tournament, which will be held every four years, will have eight groups of four with the top two teams from each group going through to the knockout stages -- the same format as the World Cup.

The group stages will be played in a single-game round-robin format while the Round off 16 will be played as a direct single-match knockout stage. 

Additionally, the new Format will not involve a third-place play-off.

The current format currently played in Saudi Arabia (2023) sees 7 teams participate from across the globe with the European and South American champions entering the tournament in the semi-final phase while champions from the other confederations come through earlier rounds.

Under the new Format a number of European clubs have already been confirmed which includes Manchester City, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern, PSG, Inter, Benfica, FC Porto with Four more clubs set to be confirmed soon.

South American clubs confirmed include Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense while Three more clubs will be confirmed soon.

CF Monterrey, Seattle Sounders FC, Club León have been confirmed to represent Centre-America with One club pending for selection. 

African continent will be represented by Al Ahly SC and Wydad AC with Two more clubs to be confirmed soon while Asian clubs confirmed include Al Hilal SFC and Urawa Red Diamonds and two others yet to be selected.