Real Madrid backs proposed changes to the FIFA Club World Cup
By Ben Sundock
After capturing their third ever FIFA Club World Cup in December, Real Madrid has voiced their desire to see the competition changed, backing the idea from the FIFA governing body. Here is what the future of the tournament might look like.
If you are a fan of football leagues across the globe, this proposal from FIFA president Gianni Infantino to expand the Club World Cup is a very exciting proposition. The new CWC calls for 24 teams to take part in the tournament instead of the current seven.
Half of the teams to play in the competition would hail from the European Club Association (ECA) while the remaining 12 would be filled in from federations across the globe. The only detail revealed in the proposal is that instead of the tournament taking place annually, it will follow the format of the World Cup and take place every four years during the summer.
As this is just a proposal from Infantino, who is hoping to be re-elected for the position in the coming year, the details remain rather vague as to how teams would qualify and where the tournament would be held.
But, the Liverpool Echo seems to have some good inside information on what will take place. According to the English publication, the inaugural tournament will take place in June 2021 in China, who have shown interest in hosting.
The first teams from Europe to be invited will be Liverpool, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Ajax and Inter Milan, or teams who have won three European Cups in the past.
Many representatives from the ECA showed noticeable disdain for the proposal. According to reports following the announcement, a press release from UEFA’s Professional Football Strategy Council (PFSC) had this to say:
“[The PFSC] Unanimously expressed serious reservations about the process and in particular the hasty timing and lack of concrete information.”
Unanimous may not be accurate in this scenario, as Real Madrid director of institutional relations, Emilio Butragueño, was in favor of the new competition structure.
“We honestly believe it could be an attractive competition,” he told the press. “We see it that way as do other important clubs in Europe, who see the possibility favorably.”
I would absolutely love to see this tournament take place. I’ve thought for a few years now that the current format of the Club World Cup does not have fans as excited or interested as they should be. After all, these are teams that have won the title in their respective continents all competing together.
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However, the astronomical gap between whichever team wins the UEFA Champions League against the field makes it far less interesting. Since its inception in 2000, a non-European team has won the competition just four times.
Each of those four times saw the champion come from Brazil.
I like the idea and would love to have something entertaining to watch during the summer with the domestic leagues not taking place. We will keep a close eye on any updates moving forward.