Real Madrid insist they will stick to their commitment to take part in FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup in 2025, despite manager Carlo Ancelotti saying he would turn down the invitation.
FIFA’s first expanded Men’s Club World Cup, featuring the top 32 clubs, is due to be held in the United States less than a year away.
Of the 32 slots for participating teams, 29 are filled by clubs from different confederations, including UEFA, CONMEBOL, CAF, AFC, OFC and CONCACAF.
However, in an interview with an Italian newspaper The Giornale Ancelotti insisted on Monday that Madrid had no plans to take part.
“Neither the players nor the club will take part in the tournament. One of Real Madrid’s matches is worth 20 million euros and FIFA wants to give us that amount for the whole tournament. It’s not possible. Other clubs will reject the invitation, just like us,” the 65-year-old said.
However, Ancelotti later clarified his position and the club also officially stated their support for their inclusion and that they would back playing.
“The words I said in my interview with Il Giornale about the FIFA Club World Cup were not interpreted the way I intended,” Ancelotti said.
“Nothing could be further from my interests than rejecting the possibility of taking part in a competition that I see as a great opportunity to continue fighting for major titles with Real Madrid.”
Ancelotti appeared to be against the tournament going ahead before making his position clear (David Ramos/Getty Images)
A club statement said: “Real Madrid CF wishes to announce that its participation in the new Club World Cup, organised by FIFA next season, 2024/2025, has never been in question.”
“Our club will therefore take part in this official competition as scheduled, with pride and the utmost enthusiasm, and we hope to once again inspire millions of fans around the world to dream of new titles.”
The revamped tournament is a flagship initiative of the world football governing body that aims to replicate the success of prestigious club competitions such as the UEFA Champions League and Copa Libertadores.
Athletic FIFA has reportedly yet to announce a media rights partner, host city or venue, while sponsorship deals and monetary value to participating clubs are also still under discussion.
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Apple is the leading contender for global broadcast rights, but no formal deal has yet been announced.
FIFA had targeted up to 10 sponsors for the tournament, with a target of more than $100 million each, but has struggled to come up with that figure, with the absence of Barcelona, AC Milan and major Premier League teams making it even harder to promote the tournament.
The matches are expected to be played primarily on the East Coast for the benefit of European television audiences, with MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey and Hard Rock Stadium in Miami set to host the matches.
Fifteen spots are guaranteed by winning the confederation’s top club competition between 2021 and 2024. Chelsea, Manchester City and Madrid all earned spots by winning the Champions League during that period, as did CONCACAF Champions League sides Monterrey, Pachuca and Leon (all Mexican) and MLS’ Seattle Sounders.
The remaining three spots will go to the winner of November’s Copa Libertadores, another South American club – determined by November rankings – and a U.S. team.
The tournament takes place every four years, with the US tournament taking place from June 15 to July 13, 2025.
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(Top photo: Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)