Marten Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 In this article it's mentioned that FIFA are planning an annual Club World Cup, probably of 16, 24 or even more clubs, involving various bigger European teams. The following bit is interesting: "Individual clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as those from the Premier League, emerged from Fifa presentations supporting the idea of a new Club World Cup every four years, which promised an average of more than £100m to each participating club." So basically, it's becoming a new tournament with lots of cash involved. It could potentially be a rival to the Champions League, so it will be interesting to see what happens. UEFA win the "most hypocritical comment of the year" award though: The Uefa president, Aleksander Ceferin, derided the Fifa plan in May, in a speech to EU sports ministers, saying: “I cannot accept that some people who are blinded by the pursuit of profit are considering to sell the soul of football tournaments to nebulous private funds. Money does not rule – and the European sports model must be respected. Football is not for sale. I will not let anyone sacrifice its structures on the altar of a highly cynical and ruthless mercantilism.” 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HibeeJibee Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 (edited) Was the original idea not to replace the Confederations Cup with a new version of the format that flopped in 2000 (when Manchester Utd skipped the FA Cup claiming it would all be too much for them) and folded after a TV rights scandal in 2001, IIRC? Although the last edition wasn't too memorable it'd be a shame to lose the Confederations Cup, and I can't imagine a tournament with the last 4 winners from each of the North America, Asian, African and Oceanian tournaments would be setting peoples hearts racing. Edited October 24, 2018 by HibeeJibee 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonS Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 Was the original idea not to replace the Confederations Cup with a new version of the format that flopped in 2000 (when Manchester Utd skipped the FA Cup claiming it would all be too much for them) and folded after a TV rights scandal in 2001, IIRC? Although the last edition wasn't too memorable it'd be a shame to lose the Confederations Cup, and I can't imagine a tournament with the last 4 winners from each of the North America, Asian, African and Oceanian tournaments would be setting peoples hearts racing.Not in Europe maybe, but definitely in China and the Arabian peninsula, and it's their money this is surely designed to tap. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marten Posted October 25, 2018 Author Share Posted October 25, 2018 12 hours ago, HibeeJibee said: Was the original idea not to replace the Confederations Cup with a new version of the format that flopped in 2000 (when Manchester Utd skipped the FA Cup claiming it would all be too much for them) and folded after a TV rights scandal in 2001, IIRC? Although the last edition wasn't too memorable it'd be a shame to lose the Confederations Cup, and I can't imagine a tournament with the last 4 winners from each of the North America, Asian, African and Oceanian tournaments would be setting peoples hearts racing. 1 hour ago, GordonS said: 12 hours ago, HibeeJibee said: Was the original idea not to replace the Confederations Cup with a new version of the format that flopped in 2000 (when Manchester Utd skipped the FA Cup claiming it would all be too much for them) and folded after a TV rights scandal in 2001, IIRC? Although the last edition wasn't too memorable it'd be a shame to lose the Confederations Cup, and I can't imagine a tournament with the last 4 winners from each of the North America, Asian, African and Oceanian tournaments would be setting peoples hearts racing. Not in Europe maybe, but definitely in China and the Arabian peninsula, and it's their money this is surely designed to tap. It seems that this new tournament is basically going to be like the champions league, but in tournament format in a host country: mainly the big European teams, complemented by some teams from other continents. The only difference in teams taking part will probably be that this time the "whipping boys" won't be the champions from the "lesser" European countries, but instead the teams from the other continents. If you add a team from places like China, the Arabian Gulf, USA and so on, you are creating a massive TV market and even more interest in those countries, even if these teams are just whipping boys. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonS Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 1 hour ago, Marten said: It seems that this new tournament is basically going to be like the champions league, but in tournament format in a host country: mainly the big European teams, complemented by some teams from other continents. The only difference in teams taking part will probably be that this time the "whipping boys" won't be the champions from the "lesser" European countries, but instead the teams from the other continents. If you add a team from places like China, the Arabian Gulf, USA and so on, you are creating a massive TV market and even more interest in those countries, even if these teams are just whipping boys. Absolutely. LA Galaxy, Guangzhou Evergrande and Al-Hilal bring a helluva lot more money to the table than Red Star, Viktoria Plzen and AEK. They'll need to accept the big European clubs getting the lion's share of the money or they'll not bother showing up, though. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvo Montalbano Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 While the Confederation Cup isn't fantastic (but has seen some fantastic games) it serves a great purpose in allowing World Cup hosts the chance to make sure their stadia, infrastructure and so on are on schedule. Hopefully this plan doesn't go through (although UEFA are the biggest hypocrites going). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Ferguson's Hat Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 (edited) Why does everyone just assume it's about money? Is it not possible that they're organising these tournaments as celebrations of football? Edited October 30, 2018 by Barry Ferguson's Hat 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highlandcowden Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 22 minutes ago, Barry Ferguson's Hat said: Why does everyone just assume its about money? Is it not possible that they're organising these tournaments as celebrations of football? I see what you did there 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merkie84 Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 On 24 October 2018 at 00:50, Marten said: In this article it's mentioned that FIFA are planning an annual Club World Cup, probably of 16, 24 or even more clubs, involving various bigger European teams. The following bit is interesting: "Individual clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as those from the Premier League, emerged from Fifa presentations supporting the idea of a new Club World Cup every four years, which promised an average of more than £100m to each participating club." So basically, it's becoming a new tournament with lots of cash involved. It could potentially be a rival to the Champions League, so it will be interesting to see what happens. UEFA win the "most hypocritical comment of the year" award though: This tournament sounds utter garbage. Unfortunately the plastics all over the world will lap it up and it will be a huge money spinner and therefore deemed a huge success. Another nail in the coffin for proper competitive domestic football. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FifeArab Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 Basically a champions league with the odd Saudi, Chinese and American team thrown In for good TV rights. Sounds like they're testing the waters for future world leagues. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marten Posted October 30, 2018 Author Share Posted October 30, 2018 Considering they're talking about July/August, it will probably just replace the current lucrative pre-season tournaments to something that's not just a bunch of friendlies, but more structured with an actual trophy connected to it (and commercially even more interesting). 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eednud Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 Infantino saying majority of greedy blazer wearing gits in favour of 48 countries for Qatar. Is Australia's path to the 2022 World Cup set to get easier? http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-14/fifa-boss-infantino-claims-support-48-team-world-cup-qatar-2022/10619418 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthernLights Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 FIFA have approved a new 24 team format for the Club World Cup but the European clubs aren't happy. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47586593 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HibeeJibee Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 New tournament ends literally the day before the Africa Cup of Nations and Gold Cup start but: "Fifa said it was aware of concerns of serious interference with critical matches but added that members of its own task force felt that it was feasible" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IggyStooge Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 3 minutes ago, HibeeJibee said: New tournament ends literally the day before the Africa Cup of Nations and Gold Cup start but: "Fifa said it was aware of concerns of serious interference with critical matches but added that members of its own task force felt that it was feasible" "The tournament would run from 17 June to 4 July, with 2022 World Cup qualifiers (31 May to 8 June) preceding it and the African Cup of Nations and Concacaf Gold Cup taking place from 5 July to 31 July." Saw this earlier and had a right good laugh myself. A full tournament sandwiched right in between World Cup qualifiers and two major international tournaments. They really are greedy, greedy b*stards. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HibeeJibee Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 (edited) In the past the Confederations Cup would have been held that June, granted; but it was shorter, could only involve 1 African & 1 North/Central American sides, and they wouldn't play WC qualifiers beforehand IIRC. They're basically requiring good numbers of top African and North American players to go 2 years solid and potentially miss the opening match of their continental finals tournament. On top of that 2021-22 domestic seasons may also have to start early, to end early, to let 2022-23 start early to accommodate Qatar 2022. Edited March 15, 2019 by HibeeJibee 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HibeeJibee Posted December 16, 2022 Share Posted December 16, 2022 (edited) FIFA has announced the Club World Cup will expand in 2025 to feature an enormous 32 clubs so the same size as current World Cup itself. It'll run every 4 years. There'll also be new intercontinental mini-tournaments for nations, in March, from 2026 called 'World Series'. They'll run every 2 years. September & October international windows merging into 1 longer 4-game window. WC 2026 expansion to 48 nations will now feature 4-team groups. Of course UEFA themselves are expanding the Nations League - adding South American sides, and increasing the size of the Finals tournament; have reintroduced the old Artemio Franchi Trophy as contested at Wembley in June, between Italy & Argentina; plus are expanding their European club groupstages from 2024-25 to 8 games over 10 dates, plus extra CL KO round. Looks like international football just got busier. Again. Edited December 16, 2022 by HibeeJibee 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HibeeJibee Posted December 16, 2022 Share Posted December 16, 2022 So presumably future European international calendar will look like: 2024-25 Sep Nations League x4 Nov Nations League x2 Mar WC qualifiers x2 Jun WC qualifiers x2 / Nations League Finals Jul Club World Cup 2025-26 Sep WC qualifiers x4 Nov WC qualifiers x2 Mar World Series / WC playoffs Jun-Jul World Cup 2026-27 Sep Nations League x4 Nov Nations League x2 Mar Euro qualifiers x2 Jun Euro qualifiers x2 / Nations League Finals Jul free 2027-28 Sep Euro qualifiers x4 Nov Euro qualifiers x2 Mar World Series / Euro playoffs Jun Euros Jul Olympics 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigkillie Posted December 16, 2022 Share Posted December 16, 2022 I don't think UEFA or the European clubs are on board with any of these expanded club tournaments or this "World Series" so I'm not convinced either will happen. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahemps Posted December 16, 2022 Share Posted December 16, 2022 How are the teams chosen for this? Surely they will be trying to get the so called 'super league' sides involved in this as much as they can. A massive bumper financial package to those involved which will help increase competition in their respective leagues. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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