 "Explained: How FIFA has tackled the issue of expiring contracts during expanded Club World Cup")
The 2024-25 football season is on the verge of reaching its conclusion; while the Premier League, LaLiga and other top leagues are done with their matches, less than a week remains for the UEFA Champions League final in which Paris Saint-Germain, eyeing their maiden title, face Inter Milan in Munich.
The next couple of months will be dominated by the expanded FIFA Club World Cup , which is set to be the biggest in the tournament’s history with 32 teams participating in the tournament that takes place in the United States from 14 June to 13 July. The tournament will be taking place around the time the summer transfer window gets underway, with player contracts set to expire on 30 June.
Why is there an extra transfer window ahead of the Club World Cup and what are its dates?
FIFA, however, has also got an exceptional registration period in place ahead of the World Cup in order to ensure this year’s edition, which is set to be the biggest in the tournament’s history, runs as smoothly as possible.
The Zurich-based world governing body for football has created the window – which runs from 1 to 10 June – in order to ensure clubs get to sign their players on time in order to maximise their chances of going the distance in the tournament.
“Member associations of clubs participating in the competition shall have the possibility to establish an exceptional additional registration period from June 1-10, 2025. For the avoidance of doubt, no member association is obliged to establish such an exceptional additional registration period,” read a statement from FIFA.
FIFA rules, however, allows transfer business to take place for 16 weeks in a year – 12 in the summer and four in the middle of the season. And to ensure the window remains open till 1 September, the window will remain shut for a few days and will reopen on the 16th.
What is the mid-tournament registration window during the Club World Cup?
FIFA will allow clubs to register new players for a week in the middle of the tournament – from 27 June to 3 July to be precise. This is to allow them to replace out-of-contract players or those who have been bought by other clubs during the exceptional registration period.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is among the players who is expected to sign a new contract during this exceptional registration period during. After making his last appearance for Liverpool in their 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on Sunday, the English defender is expected to sign with Real Madrid, who are taking part in the Club World Cup.
Similarly, Kevin de Bruyne has parted ways with Manchester City, making his final appearance for Pep Guardiola’s side in their 2-0 away win against Fulham. City, however, could require the Belgian’s services in the Club World Cup and might end up signing him on a short-term basis.
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