Chelsea has been given a strict directive from FIFA to play their strongest possible lineup in the upcoming, newly expanded Club World Cup, scheduled for next summer in the United States.
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Under FIFA’s new format, the Club World Cup will host 32 teams, a significant increase from the previous seven. Chelsea, alongside Manchester City, will represent England in the tournament, running from June 15 to July 13, 2025.
Chelsea secured their spot thanks to their 2020-21 Champions League victory under former coach Thomas Tuchel and will join 11 other European teams in the competition. This expansion has raised concerns among European leagues, particularly regarding fixture congestion and player burnout.
The added matches have sparked pushback, with Pep Guardiola revealing that Manchester City’s request to postpone early Premier League matches for recovery was declined by the league.
FIFA’s official regulations for 2025 mandate that each club agrees to follow strict guidelines, which include fielding their strongest team throughout the tournament.
This ruling underscores FIFA’s push for a high-stakes event but may impose burdens on clubs juggling domestic and international commitments. Failure to comply or withdrawing from the tournament less than 30 days before its start could result in fines ranging from CHF 250,000 to CHF 500,000.
Should Chelsea or Manchester City advance to the tournament’s final, scheduled for July 13, it would leave them with a brief four-week offseason before the 2025-26 Premier League season begins.
The congested calendar is even tighter if either team qualifies for the Community Shield. Adding further complications, the June 2-10 international break could impact pre-tournament preparations, underscoring the challenges clubs face in managing player fitness amid a packed schedule.
FIFA’s stance leaves little room for negotiation, prompting concern for Chelsea and Manchester City as they prepare to juggle international commitments and domestic league duties in a compressed time frame.