FIFA introduce CRAZY regulations for 2025 Club World Cup

Cameron Smith

Updated: 5 Nov 2024 16:55 GMT
3 min read

FIFA have introduced a number of new regulations ahead of the 2025 Club World Cup.

The tournament has already received major backlash from fans, while several high-profile players have spoken out about the unnecessary added workload the competition will provide.

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola even slammed the club’s insane schedule in a recent press conference.

“In previous seasons, we played many games,” he stated. “If we reach the later stages of the Club World Cup, we’ll play over 70.

“70 games is like the NBA, but they have four months of vacation, and we have three weeks. When that happens, you have injuries for a long time.”

FIFPRO have sent a formal complaint to the European Commission, stating that FIFA’s actions are “abusive” and “unjustified,” with football’s governing body ignoring concerns over player welfare.

However, the 2025 Club World Cup is set to go ahead and FIFA have added a number of new regulations in a bid to ensure the tournament is as competitive as possible.

It has been rumoured that clubs could field a second-string team in a bid to progress through the tournament without suffering any major injuries to key players. But, FIFA have taken drastic action to ensure this doesn’t happen.

Football’s governing body have introduced several new rules for the 2025 Club World Cup, as per Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol, although it remains to be seen how they will be enforced.

© IMAGO - Enzo Maresca's Chelsea are set to take part in the 2025 Club World Cup

New Club World Cup regulations

- Clubs have to field their strongest team.

- Clubs will receive a fine of at least £445,000 if they pull out of the tournament.

- Owners can’t have shares in more than one club in the tournament.

- Teams must arrive at base camp between three and five days before the first game.

- Each club’s provisional squad must contain between 26 to 50 players.

- Each club’s final tournament squad must contain between 26 to 35 players.

- FAs will be authorised to open a special transfer window between 1 to 10 June.

- Clubs can add a maximum of two players to their squad between 27 June to 3 July.

- Players can play for only one team.

FIFA are eager to ensure the best players on the planet are on display at the 2025 Club World Cup, but it remains to be seen how they will determine what each club’s “strongest team” looks like.