Manchester City’s recent Champions League triumph has not only secured their place in history but also ensured that they will be participating in the new Club World Cup tournament scheduled to take place in the summer of 2025. This new tournament is expected to be a money-spinner, with prize money estimated to be around £150m. Manchester City’s domestic rivals, including Chelsea and Real Madrid, have also qualified for the tournament, while Liverpool is set to miss out.
Manchester City’s Treble Triumph
Manchester City’s recent success has been nothing short of historic. They sealed the Double by defeating Manchester United 2-1 in the FA Cup Final at Wembley a fortnight ago. Then, they beat Inter Milan to win the Champions League last week, securing their place in history and claiming the Treble. This success has also ensured their participation in Fifa’s new Club World Cup tournament.
The New Club World Cup Tournament
Fifa president Gianni Infantino announced the expansion plans for the Club World Cup in January. The new tournament is set to be staged every four years and will feature 32 teams from across the globe. The prize money for this tournament is expected to be around £150m, making it a lucrative opportunity for participating teams.
The tournament is set to be staged in Saudi Arabia in December, with eight groups of four teams competing. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the ‘finals,’ which will then lead to a straight knock-out tournament played before the start of the 2026-27 season. The tournament will include 12 European teams, six teams from CONMEBOL, four CONCACAF Champions League winners, four CAF Champions League winners, and the highest-ranked club of four Champions League winners from OFC, as well as a team from the host country.
Manchester City’s Participation
Manchester City’s recent success has secured their place in the new Club World Cup tournament, ensuring their participation in this lucrative opportunity. However, they will face tough competition from other domestic rivals, including Chelsea and Real Madrid. Liverpool, on the other hand, is set to miss out due to their fifth-place finish in the Premier League, which means they will be playing in the Europa League next season.
Opposition to the New Tournament
While the new Club World Cup tournament is expected to be a money-spinner, it has faced opposition from some Uefa and European Clubs Association members. They believe that it will have a negative impact on the Champions League. The ECA refused to sign a memorandum of understanding when Infantino met with them back in December. However, the cash incentive on offer has eased some of the reservations.
Conclusion
Manchester City’s recent success has secured their place in the new Club World Cup tournament, which is set to be a money-spinner with an estimated prize money of around £150m. The tournament is scheduled to take place in the summer of 2025 and will feature 32 teams from across the globe. While Manchester City’s domestic rivals, including Chelsea and Real Madrid, have also qualified for the tournament, Liverpool is set to miss out due to their fifth-place finish in the Premier League. The new tournament has faced opposition from some Uefa and European Clubs Association members who believe that it will have a negative impact on the Champions League. However, the cash incentive on offer has eased some of the reservations.