The tournament will take place with 32 teams from June 15th to July 13th in the USA. From Europe, the Champions League winners from 2021 to 2023, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City, will take part in the new format. The winner of the current season in the premier class can also play. Red Bull Salzburg also has a realistic chance of a starting place.
The CL winner cannot be named Arsenal, Copenhagen or Eindhoven
Austria’s series champion benefits from the rule that in principle only two clubs per country are allowed to take part, and from his successful appearances in the Champions League, which is relevant for the European ticket allocation. According to “Gazzetta dello Sport”, the Mozartstadters would be there at the tournament, where millions in bonuses will probably be paid out, provided the upcoming Champions League winner is not called Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven or FC Copenhagen.
Due to their good results in the most important European Cup in recent years, FC Bayern, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, FC Porto and Benfica Lisbon have also secured the right to start. Three other European teams can still qualify. The game is played in eight groups of four, with the top two advancing to the round of 16. A total of 63 games will be played, seven for the finalists.
The summer break beforehand is shortened to one month
Discussions about the burden on the top players are programmed. The summer break before the World Cup season is shortened to around a month for the best clubs before the following World Cup season. However, the top clubs have agreed to the new FIFA format and are involved in marketing through their association, the European Club Association (ECA).
In another new competition, the annual Champions League winner from Europe plays against the winner of a qualifying tournament for the other continental champions. The final of this Intercontinental Cup will take place for the first time on December 18, 2024.
