FIFA Club World Cup

Fifa has approved a revised 24-team Club World Cup starting in 2021 despite top European clubs saying they would boycott the tournament.

The new competition is expected to include eight teams from Europe.

It will run every four years and take place from June to July in the slot currently used for the World Cup warm-up event, the Confederations Cup.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino said he was "extremely happy" after the Fifa Council backed his plan on Friday.

"Now the world will see a real Club World Cup where fans will see the best teams in the world compete to be crowned the real world champions," he said.

The Club World Cup is currently held every December and features seven teams from six confederations.

The European Club Association (ECA) says any new competitions should be part of an agreed framework for the international match calendar post-2024.

ECA board members, including Manchester United's chief executive Ed Woodward, signed a letter expressing concerns, which was revealed earlier on Friday.

"[We are] firmly against any potential approval of a revised CWC - no ECA clubs would take part," it said.

When asked if he was concerned about staging a new Club World Cup without any of Europe's elite clubs, Infantino said: "We hope that all the best teams will participate and we've had some very positive discussions with Uefa.

"But it was our responsibility to take a decision because we have to deal with the organisational matters - it is only two years away."

The Fifa Council also decided that it would be "feasible" to expand the Qatar 2022 World Cup from 32 to 48 teams.

World football's governing body voted to expand the 2026 World Cup - which will be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States - to 48 teams in 2017.

The council will now discuss potential additional hosts to Qatar and a final decision will be made at a Fifa congress in Paris in June.

"If it happens, fantastic. If it doesn't happen, fantastic also," said Infantino.

Club worldcup without european top clubs.
Awesome idea.

World Cup already up from 32 teams to 48.
Club World Cup to be up from 8 to 24.

This is all about money. TV rights, match day sales, sponsors.

Dare I say Infantino is worse than Blatter. What a fraud.

24-team Club World Cup

Stopped reading after this

A world cup of 48 teams: it reduces the quality

An euro of 24 teams: pure bull shit, it reduces the quality and not even a multiple of 8 so we got this disappointing best 3rd system

A CWC of 24 teams with europeans: crap made even worse

However a tournament of the best 16/32 clubs of the 4 other continents (without UEFA) could be interesting. I'd probably watch some games.

World Cup: 32 teams. Full Stop. No arguments.

Euro: 16 teams. Full Stop. No arguments.

Copa should be a 16-team, All American, four-year tournament with a qualification stage.

CWC has less traction than it's grandpa the Toyota Cup. If it can't be killed then it should comprise a maximum of 8 teams; four Europeans, two South Americans and two spots for rest of America, Africa, Asia and Oceania (a big FFS).

Can someone change the title of this to 2019?

Watching Al Sadd vs Hieghene Sport from Kick's neighbourhood. That Algeria CFA winner Boudnjananan scored for Al Saad who have 37 year old Gabi in midfield managed by Xavi vagi

The winner of this game plays Mexican outfit Monterrery who have CBarca's hero Victor Janssen

45 mins, the quality of refereeing and football has been really bad. I expected much better from Al Saad. VAR is shite as well. Clear offside not given coz of a deflection of a defender.

VAR stealing the biggest moment from Hienghene in their biggest match of their lives. Never a foul.

ITS BEEN GIVEN AFTER 3 MINUTES OF VAR CHECK

WHAT A MOMENT FOR NEW CALEDONIA. POPULATION OF 200,000. STILL A COLONIAL TERRITORY OF FRANCE BECAUSE WHY LET AN ISLAND BE ALONE IN THE PACIFIC.

Exactly why I love football, in tears

Xavi's destroys them in ET. Should haven't even reached HT tbh. They face Monterrey on 14th. While Al Hilal plays Tunis.

Building on the old names, Al Hilal have Bafetembi Gomis and Serie A legend Sebastian Giovinvo who still hasn't hit his full potential at 32.

Nishankly wrote:Can someone change the title of this to 2019?

Watching Al Sadd vs Hieghene Sport from Kick's neighbourhood. That Algeria CFA winner Boudnjananan scored for Al Saad who have 37 year old Gabi in midfield managed by Xavi vagi

The winner of this game plays Mexican outfit Monterrery who have CBarca's hero Victor Janssen

45 mins, the quality of refereeing and football has been really bad. I expected much better from Al Saad. VAR is shite as well. Clear offside not given coz of a deflection of a defender.

I was confused as to why it was my neighborhood, but I see they are from New Caledonia

Al Hilal so scummy. But beating champions of Africa here.

Nishankly wrote:Al Hilal so scummy. But beating champions of Africa here.

It just shows the dreadful state of African football, when my local crappy team can win the African CL two years in a row and is still the reigning champion.

Sincerely hope Klopp doesn't start more than 5-6 of his regulars and subs three of them later on in the CWC games. The young CBs and wingbacks along with Lallana, Origi, Shaqiri should be heavily involved.

Even worse distraction and disruption than the NT breaks.

Rafinha ffs

Diego

but at least it's not the original Lincoln

Would have been great for them to beat Liverpool

best in england. best in europe. best in the world

Unique wrote: second best in england. best in europe. best in the world

Unique wrote:Klopp should be sacked. We have to be beating scrub 1 Man teams like Barca. I mean Rafa was beating Barca when they were good now klopp can’t beat this bunch of scrubs.

Never forget.

danyjr wrote:

Unique wrote:Klopp should be sacked. We have to be beating scrub 1 Man teams like Barca. I mean Rafa was beating Barca when they were good now klopp can’t beat this bunch of scrubs.

Never forget.

tbh we were shit at the time.

have to say the diving and play acting from the south americans has to be seen to be believed

Good win quite comfortable though. Flamengo troubled probably once. Should have won that 4-0 at full time

The gulf in class between South American teams and Europeans is huge.

I remember when I was a kid South Americans used to have Club World Cup in their pockets every year. How times have changed.

danyjr wrote:The gulf in class between South American teams and Europeans is huge.

I remember when I was a kid South Americans used to have Club World Cup in their pockets every year. How times have changed.

Yeah, the first one I remember; Penarol thrashed JJ (Juventus at that time) 4-0 or something.

Congrats. Its actually possible they can win the sextruple this season right?

Flamengo were/are pretty shit so did not feel like the win it was supposed to even if we glorify the Club World Cup to which is a glorified trophy of sorts but perfect way to cap off the best year I remember in watching LFC.

Shame Henderson (who I still do not rate) had to be our captain in garnering all these trophies and not Gerrard but deserved nonetheless plus the Hendo shuffle is comical as ever.

Best team in the world.

Congratulations friends.