FIFA have announced that China will host the revamped Club World Cup in 2021.
Fifa confirmed in a press release on Thursday morning that they have planned a new and revamped Club World Cup in which 24 teams from all around the globe will compete for the trophy.
The first edition of the reformed Club World Cup will take place in China in 2021. The tournament is set to replace the Confederations Cup. It will now take place every four years, 12 months before a World Cup.
FIFA wrote on their official website: “The FIFA Council approved the establishment of a new landmark club competition: a revamped, 24-team FIFA Club World Cup, the pilot edition of which will be held in June and July 2021. The decision was taken today, during the ninth meeting of FIFA’s strategic and decision-making body, in Miami. There were 25 votes in favour of and seven against the proposal.
The revamped FIFA Club World Cup will be played during the international match calendar slot that corresponded to the FIFA Confederations Cup. In the 2021 pilot edition, the 24 teams will be split into eight groups of three teams each, with the group winners to qualify for the quarter-finals in a knockout format.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino told BBC Sport about the changes: “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.”
A FIFA statement added: “The participation model to determine the clubs that qualify from each confederation will be finalised in a consultation process between FIFA and the six confederations.”
According to Onefootball, FIFA had initially wanted 12 European teams to take part but UEFA resisted. There are now likely to be eight sides from Europe, who can qualify by winning either the Champions League or Europa League in the four years prior to the tournament.
As such, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid have already qualified for the 2021 edition.
Real Madrid have won the trophy for the last three years running. And, the 2019 Club World Cup will begin in Doha in December.
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