FIFA have announced details concerning the new format for the Club World Cup on Sunday, saying the first edition will take place in 2025 and feature European heavyweights Real Madrid and Manchester City, Chelsea and others.
The tournament will take place from June 15 to July 13 in the United States and bring together 32 teams, spread across eight groups with two sides progressing from each pool to a last 16 knockout round.
“Clubs play a fundamental role in world football, and the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will be a major milestone in providing clubs from all confederations with a fitting stage on which to shine at the highest level of the game,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
“This will be an open competition based on sporting merit that will play a key role as part of our efforts to make football truly global.”
UEFA (Europe) will boast 12 teams and CONMEBOL (South America) six, whilst CAF (Africa), AFC (Asia) and CONCACAF (North America) will all have four spots and OFC (Oceania) one.
