FIFA are ready to introduce an expanded transfer window for clubs participating in the Club World Cup next summer.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews.
Next summer, FIFA will step into uncharted waters with the new Club World Cup.
The football governing body has significantly expanded the tournament.
Previously a relatively small competition with just one representative from each confederation, starting next year the Club World Cup will have 32 participants.
From Serie A, Inter and Juventus will be the representatives as significantly more European teams take part in the competition.
This is certainly an ambitious effort from FIFA.
But the new format for the Club World Cup is not without its problems.
Firstly, there is the matter of the extra matches in the fixture calendar.
The new Club World Cup format arrives in the same season as a change in format to the Champions League which has already tacked more matches onto the schedule for top European teams.
And then there is another issue that FIFA has looked to address.
FIFA To Introduce Expanded Transfer Window For Club World Cup
The timing of the Club World Cup sees the tournament at the end of the club season for most European clubs.
And according to the Gazzetta, FIFA are ready to give participating clubs a chance to modify their squads.
The governing body will introduce a new transfer window.
This transfer window will only be for clubs participating in the Club World Cup.
Between June 1st and June 10th of next year, clubs in the competition can sign and register players.
Then there is an additional measure to allow clubs to prepare their squads.
The timing of the Club World Cup in the summer means that there could be players leaving clubs at the end of their contracts, which typically expire at the end of June for European clubs.
Therefore, FIFA will introduce a measure to allow clubs to replace such departing players in their official squad lists.