Real Madrid Manager Carlo Ancelotti has claimed that the club will not participate in the expanded Club World Cup next year. The tournament, which is set to take place in the USA between June and July 2025, will feature 32 teams. Ancelotti expressed his opposition to the tournament, stating that footballers and clubs will refuse to participate because the financial compensation offered by FIFA is insufficient. He argued that a single Real Madrid match is worth 20 million euros, while FIFA wants to give that amount for the entire cup.
Real Madrid’s participation in the Club World Cup is particularly significant as they recently won the Champions League. Alongside them, Premier League teams Manchester City and Chelsea are among the 12 European teams who have qualified for the tournament. However, Ancelotti’s remarks have been met with skepticism by the European Club Association (ECA), which is distancing itself from his comments. While Real Madrid is not a member of the ECA, all other qualified teams are either members or set to rejoin the organization.
Despite Ancelotti’s claims, the ECA and its clubs remain committed to participating in the Club World Cup. Ancelotti’s figure of 20 million euros as the value of a single Real Madrid match has been questioned, as many commercial and TV deals for the event have yet to be finalized. Last month, FIFA faced criticism for allegedly not consulting with world players’ union Fifpro and the World Leagues Association (WLA) regarding the tournament. There were calls for FIFA to reschedule the event, and threats of legal action were made.
The issue of an overcrowded football calendar has also been raised, with Premier League chief executive Richard Masters stating that teams are being asked to play too many matches. However, FIFA president Gianni Infantino dismissed these concerns, emphasizing that FIFA only organizes a small percentage of matches compared to leagues, associations, and confederations. Infantino argued that the revenue generated from FIFA-organized matches helps finance football worldwide.
Real Madrid’s participation in the Club World Cup would likely impact their pre-season plans, as the players would be entitled to time off after the tournament. It is expected that they will be unable to participate in their regular lucrative pre-season tour, which typically includes high-profile matches against teams like Barcelona, AC Milan, and Chelsea.
In conclusion, Carlo Ancelotti’s statement regarding Real Madrid’s refusal to participate in the Club World Cup has raised questions about the financial compensation offered by FIFA and the crowded football calendar. While the ECA and its clubs remain committed to the tournament, the issue of player workload and scheduling conflicts continues to be a concern. The final arrangements and financial details of the tournament are yet to be confirmed, and it remains to be seen how this situation will ultimately unfold.