Club World Cup - Summer 2025

[jamielowndes]

You don’t have to watch it if you don’t want to.

It's not about whether I want to watch. I'm not paying any money towards it. My issue is that there seems to have been some unspoken agreement at the top end of football that players at the elite level don't require any type of time off and you can just keep shoving them into more and more games to satisfy the yank market.

The best player in the world just had a season ending injury after complaining about fixture workload.

 

[ninjamonkey]

Good luck trying to dictate who make up the strongest team. How are they going to prove a player isn't injured if we say they're injured and don't travel?

I honestly hope we take the piss, send the EDS squad, bank the guaranteed money for participating don't expect to do particularly well in it for the extra revenue and give the players the rest they need instead.

 

[Dribble]

Long term I think FIFA will slim down the internationals because the Club WC will be commercially more lucrative. They can’t sell the rights to most international games anyway.

FIFA have already increased the number of teams in the WC & UEFA are doing the same with the Euro's, ON TOP of the pointless Nations League. Something's gotta give, & for City it was Rodri's knee.

The players have gotta stop complaining & start prioritising OR striking as they keep mumbling.

 

[Dribble]

And when next season ends it’s straight into the World Cup for all the players except Haaland

Exactly. How much more physical strain are the players expected to take? To be honest, the players are as much to blame. Unless they stop complaining & stand up for themselves, the situation will only get worse.

Just imagine FIFA or UEFA trying to pull off one of their bullshit tournaments, without the world's elite players? Without the players, the governing bodies have nothing, so it's up to the players to protect themselves & ultimately their long-term health.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

It's not about whether I want to watch. I'm not paying any money towards it. My issue is that there seems to have been some unspoken agreement at the top end of football that players at the elite level don't require any type of time off and you can just keep shoving them into more and more games to satisfy the yank market.

The best player in the world just had a season ending injury after complaining about fixture workload.

They play too many games. Too many CL games in the new format and too many absurd internationals against pub teams. I think the Club WC will become a major event in the future and has much more value than meaningless England matches. I would cut the internationals which are also destroying the early sections of the PL. We never used to have all these stupid qualifiers for the World Cup and the Euros. The Nations League is just a joke.

 

[Dribble]

They play too many games. Too many CL games in the new format and too many absurd internationals against pub teams. I think the Club WC will become a major event in the future and has much more value than meaningless England matches. I would cut the internationals which are also destroying the early sections of the PL. We never used to have all these stupid qualifiers for the World Cup and the Euros. The Nations League is just a joke.

The only way I can see the Club World Cup working is if it replaced pre-season. The players would have their normal end of season break, a couple of weeks training, the 4 week CWC, a couple of weeks rest, then the Community Shield before the start of the PL & CL.

Based on this premise & the ditching of the Nations League & pointless International friendlies, I'd be all for it. However, both UEFA & FIFA are adding to the many competitions we already have, & expanding the amount of teams taking part across the board. It's now beyond ridiculous!

The fact FIFA are "forcing" Clubs to field full strength teams & co-opting Soriano to help them sell the tournament, shows how worried they are about the success of the CWC.

Will they ban competing lucrative pre-season tournaments whilst the CWC is taking place? FIFA haven't thought this through properly & are evidently using strong-arm tactics to ensure the participation of the world's elite teams & players to boost audience interest.

If City aren't involved in the CWC, I doubt I'd be interested in watching.

 

[cptaidan88]

It's not about whether I want to watch. I'm not paying any money towards it. My issue is that there seems to have been some unspoken agreement at the top end of football that players at the elite level don't require any type of time off and you can just keep shoving them into more and more games to satisfy the yank market.

The best player in the world just had a season ending injury after complaining about fixture workload.

This tournament replaces the confederation cup in the calendar which has always taken place the year preceding the world cup in the country hosting the World Cup the following year.

It has not been created to satisfy the "yank market", it has been created solely to deepen pockets of already wealthy people all around the world, including Manchester City. We are not being forced to play in it, we are actively promoting it.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

Sky are already slagging this tournament. Presumably at the behest of the Red cartel clubs who are not in it. I wouldn’t trust a word reported by Sky. They will trash it because they won’t have the broadcasting rights. The Club WC will rival the CL in future years. City v River Plate much more attractive than England v Greece or Finland led by Carsley.

I can’t wait for it. Not sure whether to fly out for the group games or for the last group games and get a couple of knockout games. I’ll have to see where the group stage venues are. I fancy Nashville.

 

[Dribble]

This tournament replaces the confederation cup in the calendar which has always taken place the year preceding the world cup in the country hosting the World Cup the following year.

It has not been created to satisfy the "yank market", it has been created solely to deepen pockets of already wealthy people all around the world, including Manchester City. We are not being forced to play in it, we are actively promoting it.

The Professional Footballers Associations of England & France have lodged a legal complaint in Brussels over the tournament.

FIFA claim the tournament finish date (July 13) will give players enough time off before the restart of the season, but they neglect to mention the time between the end of the season & beginning of the tournament.

FA Cup final - May 17th
PL final day fixtures - May 25th
CL Final - May 31st
CWC - June 15 to July 13
Commuinty Shield - Aug 8 (est)
PL start - Aug 15 2025/26 (est)

Taking squad size restrictions into account & a full season of domestic, European & international fixtures, this schedule is utterly crazy.

It's not unfair for players to expect 4 weeks off between the CL Final & the start of pre-season, & a 4 week period of pre-season to build up fitness, before the serious competition football commences.

I suppose the one upside is that the CWC replaces the Confederation Cup (ConFed) & only takes place every 4 years. Also, what happens if several of our players are called up for their national teams for the pointless Nations League? Which takes priority, the Nations League or CWC?

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

The Professional Footballers Associations of England & France have lodged a legal complaint about the tournament in Brussels.

FIFA claim the tournament finish date (July 13) will give players enough time off before the restart of the season, but they neglect to mention the time between the end of the season & beginning of the tournament.

FA Cup final - May 17th
PL final day fixtures - May 25th
CL Final - May 31st
CWC - June 15 to July 13
Commuinty Shield - Aug 8 (est)
PL start - Aug 15 2025/26 (est)

Taking squad size restrictions into account & a full season of domestic, European & international fixtures, this schedule is utterly crazy.

It's not unfair for players to expect 4 weeks off between the CL Final & the start of pre-season, & a 4 week period of pre-season to build up fitness, before the serious competition football commences.

I suppose the one upside is that the CWC replaces the Confederation Cup (ConFed) & only takes place every 4 years. Also, what happens if several of our players are called up for their national teams for the pointless Nations League? Which takes priority, the Nations League or CWC?

It only happens once every four years and only affects two PL clubs. The Red cartel clubs are campaigning against it because it will be a huge boost to City and Chelsea. Liverpool and MUFC will not be scrapping their global tours anytime soon

 

[Dribble]

It only happens once every four years and only affects two PL clubs. The Red cartel clubs are campaigning against it because it will be a huge boost to City and Chelsea. Liverpool and MUFC will not be scrapping their global tours anytime soon

What happens if an English club doesn't win the CL for the next 8 years? Who qualifies from the PL?

 

[117 M34]

I'm planning on being in nashville and miami the week before this starts.

hopefully there is some sort of build up to it and trial events while I'm there.

 

[citizen_maine]

What happens if an English club doesn't win the CL for the next 8 years? Who qualifies from the PL?

How Do Teams Qualify For 2025 FIFA World Cup?​

Europe (UEFA): 12 Places​

Winning the UEFA Champions League between 2021 and 2024 will guarantee qualification for the 2025 Club World Cup.

Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City have therefore already qualified after winning the UCL in 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively.

They will be joined in the 2025 Club World Cup by the European champions of 2024.

The other eight European teams will be selected using FIFA's coefficient rankings, which are based on performances in international competitions over the previous four seasons.

However, a cap of two clubs per country will be enforced unless that country has had more than two Champions League winners during the qualifying period.

For example, Arsenal can only qualify for the 2025 FIFA World Cup by winning the 2023/24 Champions League and not based on their position in the FIFA coefficient rankings.

Five European clubs have already earned sufficient ranking points to be guaranteed a spot at the 2025 Club World Cup. They are Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Porto and Benfica.

1. Chelsea (as 2020/21 UEFA Champions League winners)
2. Real Madrid (as 2021/22 UEFA Champions League winners)
3. Manchester City (as 2022/23 UEFA Champions League winners)
4. TBC (2023/24 UEFA Champions League winners)
5. Bayern Munich
6. Paris Saint-Germain
7. Inter Milan
8. Porto
9. Benfica
10. TBC (via ranking pathway)
11. TBC (via ranking pathway)
12. TBC (via ranking pathway)

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

How Do Teams Qualify For 2025 FIFA World Cup?​

Europe (UEFA): 12 Places​

Winning the UEFA Champions League between 2021 and 2024 will guarantee qualification for the 2025 Club World Cup.

Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City have therefore already qualified after winning the UCL in 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively.

They will be joined in the 2025 Club World Cup by the European champions of 2024.

The other eight European teams will be selected using FIFA's coefficient rankings, which are based on performances in international competitions over the previous four seasons.

However, a cap of two clubs per country will be enforced unless that country has had more than two Champions League winners during the qualifying period.

For example, Arsenal can only qualify for the 2025 FIFA World Cup by winning the 2023/24 Champions League and not based on their position in the FIFA coefficient rankings.

Five European clubs have already earned sufficient ranking points to be guaranteed a spot at the 2025 Club World Cup. They are Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Porto and Benfica.

1. Chelsea (as 2020/21 UEFA Champions League winners)
2. Real Madrid (as 2021/22 UEFA Champions League winners)
3. Manchester City (as 2022/23 UEFA Champions League winners)
4. TBC (2023/24 UEFA Champions League winners)
5. Bayern Munich
6. Paris Saint-Germain
7. Inter Milan
8. Porto
9. Benfica
10. TBC (via ranking pathway)
11. TBC (via ranking pathway)
12. TBC (via ranking pathway)

A very impressive list of elite teams. I think it is a genuine World Cup for clubs and will soon become an established event. Especially when you compare it with the high volume of Micky mouse events already in the calendar. It will affect only two PL clubs and only happen once every four years. LFC and MUFC are just jealous of City and are now trying to undermine the Club WC via their pals in the media.

 

[citizen_maine]

A very impressive list of elite teams. I think it is a genuine World Cup for clubs and will soon become an established event. Especially when you compare it with the high volume of Micky mouse events already in the calendar. It will affect only two PL clubs and only happen once every four years. LFC and MUFC are just jealous of City and are now trying to undermine the Club WC via their pals in the media.

I think the main issue for engagement might be the fact it's a max of 2 teams per league (unless more win the CL) meaning most of the UK/Europe won't give 2 fucks about it. I know I wouldn't be if we weren't in it

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

I think the main issue for engagement might be the fact it's a max of 2 teams per league (unless more win the CL) meaning most of the UK/Europe won't give 2 fucks about it. I know I wouldn't be if we weren't in it

The old European Cup only had Champions in it. So usually just one English team but it was still watched. City v Real Madrid in the USA to win the World Cup would be huge globally. I think this event will take off. All hostility towards it is being driven by the PL, UEFA, and the cartel clubs because it is a commercial threat to them. The media coverage is distorted as usual.

 

[citizen_maine]

The old European Cup only had Champions in it. So usually just one English team but it was still watched. City v Real Madrid in the USA to win the World Cup would be huge globally. I think this event will take off. All hostility towards it is being driven by the PL, UEFA, and the cartel clubs because it is a commercial threat to them. The media coverage is distorted as usual.

It feels like football has got a bit more tribal since then though. I hadn't watched a single club world cup game up until last year when we were in it. I'm not sure too many people would get up in the middle of the night to watch games (depending where the finals are being held) to watch a game that didn't include their team

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

It feels like football has got a bit more tribal since then though. I hadn't watched a single club world cup game up until last year when we were in it. I'm not sure too many people would get up in the middle of the night to watch games (depending where the finals are being held) to watch a game that didn't include their team

True but the quality of club football is much higher than international these days. For example City and Real Madrid are huge in the US and interest is high. You could be right but the CL gets huge audiences. There are also the fanboys who follow players instead of teams. Haaland is probably bigger than City on social media for starters. I just think it would be great if City can become the first proper club world champions.

 

[Dribble]

It feels like football has got a bit more tribal since then though. I hadn't watched a single club world cup game up until last year when we were in it. I'm not sure too many people would get up in the middle of the night to watch games (depending where the finals are being held) to watch a game that didn't include their team

The old European Cup only had Champions in it. So usually just one English team but it was still watched. City v Real Madrid in the USA to win the World Cup would be huge globally. I think this event will take off. All hostility towards it is being driven by the PL, UEFA, and the cartel clubs because it is a commercial threat to them. The media coverage is distorted as usual.

My issue isn't with the tournament itself, it's generally about the amount of football being played & player welfare.

Holding a CWC every 4 years in an expanded tournament makes far more sense than it being held annually in the middle of the night, in the middle of the season.

As long as ample time is given for players to rest after the season & after the tournament, I'm fine with it. I think the spotlight must be shone on the 4 international breaks we have to endure.

It'd be better if the September, November & March international breaks, were rolled into one at the end of the regular season. This would mean the season could end in March including a 2 week winter break.

April - Mid May could be given over to shit international qualifiers, which would mean all players getting 4-6 weeks rest before reporting for pre-season in July.

If the CWC were to then take place throughout July with a 2 week gap between the end of the tournament & the beginning of the regular season, I doubt the governing bodies would be facing such stiff resistance over the amount of top class football, the players are expected to participate in.

As an aside, Pep says KDB isn't available for tomorrow's game against Fulham, & he can't be expected to play for Belgium after being out injured. Interestingly, he said Kev hasn't mentioned international retirement to him. Why the likes of KDB & Walker are persisting with international football at their age, boggles the mind...

 

[Really_here]

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola on the Club World Cup: "What is the strongest players? Which ones? If you tell me for them which players are stronger than the other ones? I don't understand.

"We go all the squad there, we don't go for one game. I don't know the competition right now, we don't go for 11 players. We go for the whole squad. I don't know how the selection, this player is better than this one. Maybe the strongest player for them is in a bad condition for many reason. Professional, personal, injuries. I'm not going to say before the game which player to play. I will decide."