Ancelotti Declares Real Madrid Will Boycott 2025 Club World Cup

The legendary coach of Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti, has announced that the club will not participate in the 2025 Club World Cup set to take place in the United States.

"FIFA can forget about it," Ancelotti told Il Giornale on Monday, expressing the club's firm stance against the tournament.

The Italian tactician, who has recently extended his contract with Real Madrid until June 2026, cited financial disagreements as the primary reason for their refusal. “One Real Madrid game is worth 20 million euros, and FIFA wants to give us that sum for the entire tournament. No way. Like us, other clubs will refuse the invitation,” Ancelotti asserted. This bold statement underlines the escalating tension between top European clubs and FIFA regarding the distribution of revenues and the demands placed on players and clubs in an already congested calendar.

Carlo Ancelotti, who has solidified his legacy as the most successful Champions League coach with five titles—three with Real Madrid and two with AC Milan—highlighted the economic disparity between what the club brings to the table and what they are being offered. This refusal also echoes a broader sentiment among elite European clubs that the current financial incentives provided by FIFA for such tournaments do not align with their stature and the revenue they generate.

The FIFA Club World Cup is an annual international club football competition organized by FIFA. It features the champions from each of the six continental confederations (UEFA, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, AFC, CAF, and OFC), along with the host nation’s domestic league champions. The tournament follows a knockout format over two weeks, beginning with a play-off between the champions of Oceania and the host nation's champions. The winners of this match advance to join the champions from Asia, Africa, and North America in the quarter-finals. European and South American champions enter at the semi-final stage, reflecting their traditionally stronger footballing heritage.

Real Madrid holds the record for the most titles, having won the tournament five times. Spanish clubs, in general, have been the most successful in the competition, with eight titles overall, while English clubs have claimed victory four times. The current champions, Manchester City, triumphed in the 2023 final with a convincing 4-0 victory over Fluminense.

Real Madrid's dominance in both the Champions League and the Club World Cup is undisputed. Their decision to boycott the 2025 tournament raises significant questions about the future of the competition, especially if other top clubs follow suit. The financial disagreements highlighted by Ancelotti suggest a growing discontent with FIFA's management and compensation structure for such high-profile events.

Carlo Ancelotti's career as both a player and a coach is nothing short of illustrious. As a player, he won the European Cup twice with AC Milan. Transitioning to management, his achievements include winning the Champions League five times—two with Milan and three with Madrid—making him the most decorated manager in the history of the competition.

Ancelotti's approach to management is characterized by tactical acumen, adaptability, and a calm demeanor under pressure. His ability to manage some of the biggest footballing egos in the world and maintain harmony within the squad has been crucial to his success. Extending his contract with Real Madrid until 2026, Ancelotti is poised to continue building on his already remarkable legacy with the club.

The refusal of Real Madrid to participate in the 2025 Club World Cup may trigger a domino effect among other elite clubs. The financial model and scheduling of international club competitions are likely to come under increased scrutiny. The existing friction between club demands and international obligations is a complex issue that FIFA will need to address to ensure the continued success and participation of top clubs in its tournaments.

Carlo Ancelotti’s declaration that Real Madrid will boycott the 2025 Club World Cup has sent ripples through the footballing world. His comments underscore a significant rift between FIFA and top European clubs over financial compensation and the scheduling demands placed on players and teams. As the footballing calendar becomes ever more congested, the balance between club commitments and international tournaments will need careful negotiation. Carlo Ancelotti’s stance not only highlights Real Madrid’s financial clout and sporting prestige but also sets the stage for potential changes in how international club competitions are structured and rewarded in the future.