FIFA’s new Club World Cup, which can be held within the United States in 2025, might “overlap” with CONCACAF Gold Cup being held in the identical nation, CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani mentioned on Friday.
Montagliani, who can also be a FIFA vice-president, instructed AFP in an interview that talks had been already underway between the 2 our bodies to keep away from clashes of kick-off occasions and different potential complications.
FIFA introduced final month that its new-look, expanded 32-team Club World Cup would debut within the United States in 2025.
The Gold Cup, which is held each two years and has its last on Sunday in Los Angeles, options nationwide groups from North and Central America and the Caribbean.
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“We’ve already entered into discussions with FIFA, with both our competition teams, to ensure that there’s a synergy between a calendar, routing of stadiums and kick-off times so that it’s a win-win for each event, but also a win-win for the fans,” Montagliani mentioned.
“There could be an overlap. It won’t be identical (times), but there could be an overlap, as has happened in the past between other tournaments. But I think an overlap is fine,” added the Canadian head of the regional governing physique.
Venues are unlikely to be an issue for both event with a lot of NFL stadiums already in common use for worldwide video games together with MLS grounds.
The time distinction between East Coast and West Coast might additionally assist ease the battle between the 2 tournaments, though their might but be points round participant availability.
Montagliani mentioned that off-days for every event permits some leeway.
“You might have some overlaps in the group stage. (We have to) make sure our kickoff times are coordinated. If you do it right, it’ll work. It’s up to us and FIFA to make sure it works and our teams work well together and I have no issues. We’re in those discussions already,” he mentioned.
While most of the qualification slots stay to be determined, the Club World Cup will characteristic the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea, Brazilian golf equipment Flamengo and Palmeiras, Mexican staff Leon and Seattle Sounders from Major League Soccer.
FIFA determined in February that the brand new competitors will characteristic 12 groups from Europe, six from South America and 4 representatives every from Asia, Africa and CONCACAF.
FIFA is establishing operations within the United States with workplaces in Miami and not too long ago signed an settlement to work collectively with CONCACAF on regional tournaments such because the Gold Cup and Nations League.
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No second strings
This yr’s Gold Cup noticed the United States, Canada and Mexico characteristic largely second string groups selecting to play their strongest line-ups within the Nations League last 4 held final month.
But Montagliani mentioned that the distinctive schedule, with two back-to-back tournaments, gained’t be repeated.
“This edition, we were forced to play the Nations League so close because of two things, pandemic and a Winter World Cup.
“It won’t be an issue in 2025 because you have Nations League Final Four in March and the Gold Cup in June,” he mentioned.
The CONCACAF president mentioned the looming World Cup, being held within the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026, means nationwide staff coaches will wish to check their groups to the total.
“The truth of the matter is, unless you want to commit technical suicide, the only way to really prepare your teams for the World Cup is in these tournament-style environments because friendlies are not really ideal,” he mentioned.
“It’s hard to get good friendlies if you see some of the opponents that some of our teams are getting. It doesn’t match up calendar-wise with top European club teams or South American that are already starting World Cup qualifying.
“So the truth is where you’re going to get the simulation of a World Cup in ‘26 is really only through your Confederation tournaments,” he added.
