In a meeting held this Monday, in Budapest, Hungary, the Association of European Clubs (ECA, in English) renewed the agreement with FIFA. In addition to making the mutual relationship between the two entities official, the document also approves the new competition calendar, supporting the Club World Cup in a new format.
About two weeks ago, Fifa had already confirmed the new Club World Cup, which will be played in 2025, with 32 teams. In addition, an updated model was also approved for the annual editions of the World Cup, with a playoff system between the continental champions, and which will have the winner of the European Champions League directly in the final of the tournament.
FIFA signs renewed Memorandum of Understanding with ECA
Find out more details here 👉 https://t.co/e4aAsxconI pic.twitter.com/oVK9JW45Zj
—FIFA Media (@fifamedia) March 27, 2023
Led by the president of Paris Saint-Germain, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the Association of European Clubs showed support for FIFA’s proposal, which puts European clubs alongside football’s highest entity for the elaboration of the new format of the world club competition .
In addition to approving the new World Cup model, the meeting also approved an update on the value of the Club Benefits Program, which establishes the payment for clubs that transfer their athletes to the national teams. The amount for the program has been updated from US$209 million for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup final tournaments to US$355 million for the 2026 and 2030 tournaments.
“Having the new International Match Calendar endorsed by the ECA provides the necessary balance between club and national football. We have exciting projects ahead, such as the new FIFA Club World Cup in 2025 and the new FIFA Women’s Club World Cup. A close collaboration with clubs in Europe and the rest of the world will be essential for the success of these events”, said Gianni Infantino.
The new format of the Club World Cup was already an old topic dealt with by FIFA. With more teams and greater spacing, the tournament will be played by 32 teams. There will be 12 representatives of European football, while South America will have six teams. North and Central America will be represented by 4 teams, the same number of clubs from Africa and Asia. Finally, there will still be one vacancy for Oceania and another for a representative of the host country of the competition.
So far, nine clubs are already guaranteed in the edition that will be played in 2025, including two Brazilians. Libertadores champions in 2021 and 2022, respectively, Palmeiras and Flamengo already have their spots guaranteed.
Check out the list of the first classified for the new Club World Cup:
Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) – 2021 AFC Champions League Winner
Al Ahly (Egypt) – 2020/21 African Champions League Winner
Wydad Casablanca (Morocco) – 2021/22 African Champions League Champion
Monterrey (Mexico) – Winner of the 2021 Concacaf Champions League
Seattle Sounders (United States) – 2022 Concacaf Champions League Champion
Palmeiras (Brazil) – Champion of the 2021 Copa Libertadores
Flamengo (Brazil) – Champion of the 2022 Copa Libertadores
Chelsea (England) – Champion of the European Champions League 2020/21
Real Madrid (Spain) – Champion of the Champions League of Europe 2021/22
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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