The inaugural edition of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States is fast approaching, set to kick off in under a month. This new summer tournament is significantly affecting how Europe`s leading football clubs are planning not just for the upcoming summer break but also for the demanding 2025-26 season, as there will be minimal downtime between the tournament`s conclusion and the start of pre-season activities. This major event takes place a year before the joint USA, Canada, and Mexico hosting of the FIFA 2026 World Cup. Let`s examine the twelve European teams participating in this new competition:
- Chelsea
- Manchester City
- Real Madrid
- Atletico Madrid
- Bayern Munich
- Borussia Dortmund
- Inter
- Juventus
- PSG
- Porto
- Benfica
- RB Salzburg
Clubs Initiate Early Preparations
Among the dozen qualified clubs, Real Madrid appears to be one of the most forward-thinking in their preparations for the summer and the following season. Reports indicate the Spanish giants have already secured deals for Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose contract expires in June, and defender Dean Huijsen. Furthermore, Real Madrid has reportedly decided to appoint Xabi Alonso as their new head coach before the Club World Cup begins, with Carlo Ancelotti reportedly moving to a role with Brazil from May 26. The club`s rationale is to avoid waiting until the traditional summer window, opting instead to immediately commence the new cycle under Alonso. This early transition is aimed at maximizing the limited pre-season period by allowing the new manager to begin implementing his vision during the tournament itself, acknowledging that some players will need post-tournament rest before the 2025-26 campaign.
Others Adopt a Wait-and-See Approach
In contrast to Real Madrid, some clubs, such as Juventus, may postpone significant summer changes until after the tournament concludes. The Italian club appointed Igor Tudor as caretaker manager in March following Thiago Motta`s departure, with his tenure expected to last until the current season`s end. However, the long-term managerial situation post-Club World Cup remains uncertain, amid growing speculation about a possible return for current Napoli manager Antonio Conte in July. If Conte does make a comeback to the club he captained and managed from 2011 to 2014, his new tenure would likely commence with the pre-season in July, shortly after the Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on July 13.
The Special Transfer Window
All participating clubs, including Real Madrid and Juventus, are also heavily influenced by the congested fixture calendar leading up to the tournament. For instance, both PSG and Inter are scheduled to play in the Champions League final on May 31, just two weeks before the Club World Cup kicks off in the United States. Moreover, many key players will be involved in national team fixtures for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the first week of June. This means managers may not have their full squads available for preparation until the week immediately preceding the Club World Cup. To address this challenge, most leagues are expected to permit clubs to conduct transfer business during the first ten days of June through an early summer transfer window. This allows teams to manage player contracts that expire mid-tournament on June 30.
This early window enables players like Alexander-Arnold, whose contract with Liverpool ends on June 30, to potentially complete a move to Real Madrid a month earlier, allowing him to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup with his new team. This scenario is unprecedented for many clubs, and the long-term consequences for the 2025-26 season are still unclear, particularly regarding whether teams will have adequate time for player recovery and preparation before the start of a season that will run all the way until the 2026 World Cup.
