Published 16:49 IST, October 21st 2019
FIFA to reward China for pushing football with World Cup for Clubs
China to be awarded FIFA ’s inaugural revamped Club World Cup featuring 24 world cup teams. It was earlier opposed by Uefa and European Club Association.
- SportFit
- 2 min read
China is going to be the host nation for the inaugural version of the expanded Club World Cup featuring big world club teams cited reports on October 20. The game's proposal has been facing controversy and has termed lucrative at the same time. During a meeting of the ruling council of FIFA, China will be awarded the organizing of the revamped Club World Cup, in Shanghai on Friday. Though the international football governing body has declined to give any comment, a FIFA executive has reportedly disclosed that the council will vote on the matter next week.
The revamped football game
As per reports, the revamped format will be different from the current eight-team annual Club World Cup with a 24-team contest featuring at least eight European teams which will be held in an interval of four years. Earlier Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s original concept was backed by an international consortium including Japan’s SoftBank and London-based Centricus. If the same happened for the new format then it is estimated by experts that about $25bn could have been guaranteed for an expanded Club World Cup, along with a new league contest for national teams. The expanded club version of the game was earlier scrapped though they wanted to launch a pilot version in March. Until now the financial considerations for the new club tournament haven't been decided, reported an insider to the media.
The controversy surrounding Club FIFA
The new concept has led to controversy between football bodies. Uefa, European football’s governing body and the European Club Association had previously said they would boycott the concept. Yet since sources have reported about proceedings, it seems a consensus will be reached by Friday. Earlier, China’s President Xi Jinping unveiled plans for a sporting revolution that would turn the world’s most populous nation from a football backwater into a powerhouse.
Updated 17:38 IST, October 21st 2019
