FIFA plans to host the significantly expanded Club World Cup for the first time next summer and could introduce a third transfer window in view of this – for good reason.
Usually, contracts in football expire on June 30. This summer, Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich, Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Real Madrid’s Luka Modric, among others, will be affected – but it is not only the trio whose contracts expire on June 30, 2025.
And that is precisely what poses a problem for FIFA, because its prestige project, the expanded 32-team Club World Cup, in which FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund from Germany are taking part, would be indirectly affected, as it is scheduled to take place in the USA from June 15 to July 13 next year. FIFA is trying to find solutions.
Everyone should quickly realize that this is a problem – for example, Kimmich, in the event that his contract is not extended beforehand, could play for Bayern in the preliminary round, but then be missing in the decisive knockout games because his contract has expired. For Modric, it could potentially mean the end of his career.
FIFA between appeal, clarification and support
The big question: how should clubs deal with this? On the one hand, it can be assumed that the clubs will ensure clarity at an early stage, but what if not? FIFA also called on players and clubs to find appropriate solutions for expiring contracts in order to facilitate the participation of professionals.
At the 29th session of its council in Zurich, the world governing body also addressed contract regulations on Thursday in order to provide clarification and to show the affected clubs possible options in advance. This should also help to clear up any misunderstandings.
One point is particularly important: during the Club World Cup, a player can only play for one club, so “Player X”, for example, could not play for Real Madrid until June 30 and for Bayern Munich from July 1.
The idea of a third and fourth transfer window also comes into play: a transfer window will be set up between June 1 and 10, during which newly signed players can already be registered – in Germany, this is normally only possible from July 1, because that is when the transfer window opens.
However, this should only happen at the will of the respective member associations. In addition, there will reportedly also be a window from June 27 to July 3 during the tournament during which clubs will be allowed to replace players whose contracts expire during the tournament. However, this is to take place within narrow limits and certain restrictions, so it is strictly regulated. FIFA did not release any details, but it is said that, among other things, the proper transfer window must be open in the respective league of the affected club.
Sounds complicated – and it probably is. Nevertheless, FIFA President Gianni Infantino is convinced by the plan. “These regulations are designed to ensure that the best possible conditions are in place for all 32 participating clubs and that the best players can shine at the highest level,” said the Swiss in a FIFA statement.