FIFA has proposed to national federations to open a third transfer period of ten days before the Club World Cup scheduled at the end of the season in the United States. The international body announced it.
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“FIFA member associations of clubs participating in the FIFA Club World Cup will have the opportunity to open an exceptional registration period from 1 to 10 June 2025 (for all their affiliated clubs) before the start of the competition,” explains the body in a press release. “The decision whether or not to open an additional period remains at the sole discretion of each FIFA member association concerned,” it adds.
This third transfer window, in addition to those in winter and summer, would allow the clubs participating in the World Cup to strengthen themselves before the start of the competition, from June 15 to July 13.
As footballers’ contracts often end on June 30, the FIFA Council has also introduced flexibility so that a player at the end of his contract in the middle of the Club World Cup can choose to play the competition under his old or under its new colors, thus exceeding or anticipating the initial date of its transfer.
Calendar and critical conflicts
The council of the supreme body of football has finally looked into possible calendar conflicts between its new Club World Cup and international meetings. The Gold Cup, a competition bringing together nations from North America, Central America and the Caribbean, is in fact scheduled for the same dates as the Club World Cup.
Here again, an international whose club qualifies for the Club World Cup would have the freedom to choose the competition he desires, without being forced to respond to the summons of his national team.
Supported by Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, the new version of the Club World Cup has sparked widespread criticism in recent months, with many fearing the consequences of extending an already overloaded calendar.
AFP
