The 2025 Club World Cup: A New Era of Football
The FIFA Club World Cup is about to undergo a major transformation. Starting in 2025, the revamped tournament will feature 32 teams and will be held across the United States from June 15 to July 13. FIFA’s recent announcement of the tournament’s official regulations shows that the competition will bring several game-changing innovations—setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in global football.
New Transfer Window and Rules for Teams
One of the most groundbreaking changes is the introduction of a new, tournament-specific transfer window, which will run from June 1 to June 10, 2025. During this period, teams can make player additions or changes, provided they meet specific conditions. Teams will submit a provisional squad list of 26-35 players, with a maximum of 26 players allowed to be called up for matchday selections.
Additionally, from June 27 to July 3, teams will have the option to make substitutions to their final squad list, including replacing expired contracts or adding new players. These changes must be formally notified to FIFA within 48 hours before the next match. However, players cannot switch clubs once the tournament begins.
32 Teams, 8 Groups, and A Global Spotlight
The tournament will feature a group stage followed by knockout rounds. The 32 clubs, including top teams like Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, will be divided into 8 groups of four. The competition will consist of 63 matches, with the final being played in New York-New Jersey, but notably, there will be no third-place match.
FIFA is also imposing strict penalties for teams that withdraw from the competition. Clubs withdrawing before the 30-day deadline will face fines of up to CHF 250,000, escalating to CHF 500,000 for later withdrawals.
With Inter Miami as the host, and Messi’s presence in the competition, all eyes will be on this exciting tournament as it shapes the future of club football. The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup promises to be a spectacle like no other.
