THE FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP is set for a major revamp after this year’s tournament.
Manchester City will head to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia aiming to become the fourth English club to lift the trophy.
Rivals Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea have previously followed up their own Champions League triumphs by winning the Club World Cup.
The tournament gets underway on Tuesday before running for 10 days through to the final on December 22.
Saudi champions Al-Ittihad join the six continental champions in competing for the trophy.
City are due to head to the Middle East after Saturday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace and will enter at the semi-final stage.
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Pep Guardiola’s side will face either Mexican side Club Leon or Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-finals on December 19.
They will then conclude their campaign three days later in either the third place match or final.
Fluminense, Al Ahly and Auckland City complete the line-up of sides in Saudi Arabia.
TNT Sports will broadcast all seven matches, including those not involving City, after agreeing a deal to show this year’s tournament.
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The broadcaster could remain in possession of the rights for 2025, although it is not yet known where fans in the UK can watch the next edition of the competition.
However, it will be all change for the next Club World Cup in two years time.
Fifa plan to expand the tournament to 32 teams after the pandemic stalled their previous increase to 24 in 2021.
The new format will see the Club World Cup take place every four years, with the September and October international breaks merged to make space on the football calendar.
Clubs will be divided into eight groups of four for the first round, before the top two advance to the knockout stage.
12 European teams are set to qualify, including the Champions League winners from 2021 to 2024.
As a result, City have already booked their place, alongside Real Madrid and Chelsea.
The remaining eight European berths will currently be allocated to the best eligible clubs in Uefa’s four-year coefficient rankings.
Although no host cities have been named yet, the 2025 edition is set to be hosted by the USA.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
