Here's why record-champions Real Madrid will not play in 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has announced that the club will not participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The refusal comes amid controversy surrounding FIFA's proposal for a revamped 32-team tournament that increases the load on players and the clubs.

Ancelotti, who recently guided Madrid to a record-extending 15th UEFAChampions League title was speaking toIl Giornalewhere he made the revelation.

"FIFA forgets that players and teams will not participate in the new Club World Cup," said Ancelotti.

"A single Real Madrid match is worth €20 million and FIFA wants to give us that amount for the entire tournament. Negative. Like us, other clubs will refuse the invitation," he added.

🚨 Carlo Ancelotti: “FIFA Club World Cup? A single Real Madrid match is worth €20 million and they want to give us that money for the whole competition. Negative. Real Madrid, like other clubs, will REJECT the invitation.” @relevo pic.twitter.com/fWyEKTeugS — Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 10, 2024

Notably, Madrid have confirmed participation in the 2024 edition which takes place in the traditional format which features thechampions of each continent. Madrid will face Pachuca (CONCACAF), Al-Ain (AFC), Al-Ahly (CAF), Auckland City (OFC), and the winner of the 2024 Copa Libertadores in the tournament, scheduled for December 2024.

Madrid are the record champions of theFIFA Club World Cup, having won the tournament on five occasions (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022). The current holders are Manchester City.

What is the new FIFA Club World Cup?

In December last year, FIFA unveiled the revamped Club World Cup which will take place in the United States between June 15 and July 13, 2025.

The competition’s official name will be Mundial de Clubes FIFA and will feature clubs from each of the six confederations.

"Clubs play a fundamental role in world football, and the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will be a major milestone in providing clubs from all confederations with a fitting stage on which to shine at the highest level of the game,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the time.

The group stage will be composed of eight groups of four teams per group playing in a single-game round-robin format.

The top two teams per group will progress to the round of 16 where adirect single-match knockout stage to the final will take place. No third-place play-off

(With inputs from agencies)