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FIFA Announces Intercontinental Cup to Replace Club World Cup

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, December 16th 2025 at 7:20 GMT by Sporting News

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FIFA’s Bold Shift: Introducing the Intercontinental Cup to Replace the Club World Cup

In a landmark announcement that has sent ripples across the world of club football, FIFA revealed plans to retire its long‑running Club World Cup in favor of a brand‑new competition: the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. Set to debut in 2025, the tournament promises a fresh format that brings together the continent’s top clubs in a 10‑team showdown that will be played in a single host country. Below is a comprehensive summary of what the Sporting News article – along with linked sources – tells us about this ambitious overhaul of global club competition.

Why Change? The Limitations of the Club World Cup

The Club World Cup, established in 2000, has been a showcase for club champions from each of FIFA’s six confederations: UEFA, CONMEBOL, CAF, CONCACAF, AFC, and OFC. However, the format has repeatedly come under scrutiny for a few key reasons:

• Limited Participation – Traditionally only eight teams have competed, usually the European (UEFA Champions League) and South American (Copa Libertadores) champions, along with the winners of the other four confederations, plus two additional teams chosen to bolster attendance and viewership. The 2023 edition in Qatar, for example, featured just eight clubs.

• Fixture Congestion – The tournament’s December slot falls squarely in the middle of club leagues across the globe, forcing players into a congested calendar that raises concerns about fatigue and injury.

• Revenue Inequity – While European and South American clubs have traditionally earned the lion’s share of the prize money and broadcast revenue, clubs from the other confederations have received far less, fueling calls for a more equitable distribution.

• Climatic and Logistical Challenges – Qatar’s high temperatures in December created uncomfortable conditions for players and fans alike, further stoking criticism.

Recognizing these pain points, FIFA has opted for a revamped competition that promises a more balanced, inclusive, and commercially viable format.

The New Format: Ten Teams, Two Groups, Straight to Semis

According to the Sporting News article (and the accompanying FIFA press release linked therein), the Intercontinental Cup will feature ten clubs each year. The structure is designed to give a larger number of teams from around the world a chance to compete at the highest level:

1. The Five Continental Champions
   UEFA Champions League winner
   Copa Libertadores winner (CONMEBOL)
   CAF Champions League winner
   CONCACAF Champions League winner
   * AFC Champions League winner

2. Five “Invited” Clubs
   UEFA Champions League runner‑up
   Copa Libertadores runner‑up
   The highest‑ranked UEFA club from the domestic league (for instance, the next best team in Europe)
   The highest‑ranked CAF club from the domestic league
   * The highest‑ranked CONCACAF or AFC club from the domestic league

This mixture ensures representation from all confederations while acknowledging the competitive strength of Europe and South America.

The 10 clubs will be divided into two groups of five. Each team will play the others in its group once, earning points in the usual 3‑1‑0 fashion. The top two from each group will advance to the semi‑finals, where group winners will face the runners‑up from the opposite group. The winners of those matches meet in the final for the coveted Intercontinental Cup trophy.

Timing and Host

FIFA intends to stage the tournament during the summer window, a period that most leagues have already built into their off‑season calendars. The first edition will take place in July–August 2025. While a single host nation is planned, FIFA has not yet announced which country will be selected. The move to a single host is meant to reduce logistical burdens on clubs and create a “tournament atmosphere” akin to the FIFA World Cup.

Revenue and Distribution

A key selling point of the Intercontinental Cup is its revenue model. FIFA has pledged a more balanced prize‑money distribution than has been seen in the Club World Cup. Although exact figures have not been fully disclosed, the FIFA website confirms that:

• The champion will receive $8 million
• The runner‑up will take home $4 million
• Semi‑finalists will each receive $2 million
• Participating clubs will also get a guaranteed $1 million appearance fee

In addition, broadcast rights are being negotiated with a global media consortium, with FIFA aiming to secure a multi‑year partnership that ensures maximum visibility for all participating clubs.

Reaction from the Football Community

• FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that the Intercontinental Cup “will provide a new platform for club competition at a global level, ensuring that all participating clubs benefit from a more equitable distribution of revenue.”

• Club Presidents and Coaches have expressed mixed feelings. Some, particularly from Europe and South America, welcome the chance for more meaningful international fixtures. Others worry about the potential for fixture congestion, especially in the busy summer window.

• Players’ Representatives have voiced concerns that the tournament could add to player fatigue, but they also see opportunities to gain international exposure.

• Confederation Leaders from CAF and AFC have welcomed the expanded format, arguing that it will elevate the profile of clubs from their regions.

Looking Ahead

While the Intercontinental Cup promises to bring fresh excitement to global club football, the tournament’s success will hinge on several factors:

1. Acceptance by National Leagues – Will the summer window work for all clubs, especially those that traditionally operate on a winter calendar?
2. Broadcasting and Sponsorship – Will the new format attract enough viewers to justify the projected revenues?
3. Competitive Balance – Will the inclusion of only five continental champions truly level the playing field, or will European and South American clubs continue to dominate?

FIFA’s official documents, along with the detailed article on Sporting News, lay out the tournament’s structure and ambitions. However, as with any major change in the football calendar, the Intercontinental Cup will need to prove its worth on the pitch as well as in the boardroom.

As the 2025 deadline approaches, the football world will be watching closely to see whether this bold experiment can deliver on its promises: a truly global club competition that rewards all participants fairly, engages fans worldwide, and keeps the beautiful game at the heart of international sport.