‘They need to field the best team’ | Relief

FIFA has published the rules for the new Club World Cup.most of them are well known and some are even surprising. They seem to want to soften the mass protests about the congestion of the calendar by including gigantic calls, which do not solve the problem, since the clubs do not have so many players on their rosters. Fearing a riot, the organization includes in the official document the commitment of the clubs that signed it, although it is more of a protocol nature: “By signing a participation agreement, participating clubs undertake to field the best possible team for the competition matches.“.

Of course, this is an unusual nuance. The 2023 Club World Cup never included anything like this in the regulations. This is also not a common occurrence in various competitions. It can be understood as a shield that prevents football players fromwho have already spoken out against such a swelling of parties, get stuck at the last minute or coaches perceive the tournament as a parade for their young players. As if it were a summer bowling game that gets a name every year and is played in Dubai, Qatar, Saudi Arabia or the USA. It should be remembered that the requirement to have seven first team players and a maximum of four youth team players exist only in Spain. and that, for example, the whole of Real Madrid Castilla could participate in this tournament.

Now, What does it mean that FIFA “forces” clubs to field the best possible team? Nothing at the base. Even if Simeone decides that Griezmann, Julian Alvarez and Oblak don’t play a minute, no one can prove that they are bigger players than Giuliano and the three homegrown players. It is also unquestionable if the technician cites last-minute inconvenience. Or if a player is removed from the list for disciplinary reasons.

Nevertheless, It is especially striking that FIFA included this clause for the first time. A clause that does not provide for obvious disciplinary action in case of non-compliance, but through which the organization wants to convey a message to the world: This tournament is not a summer party, it is of no less importance, and the economic return expected from it is quite high. for clubs to present all their stars. The question is: will they do it?

They also include the possibility of a club withdrawing from the tournament either during or before the competition. If this happens 30 days before the start of the tournament, they face a fine of 250,000 Swiss francs (about 265,000 euros), and if it happens after the fact, then 500,000 Swiss francs.. They also warn that resignation may entail future deductions, costs associated with their behavior… In short, a set of measures to ensure that the tournament becomes a football festival, and not an arena for complaints.

In case there is any doubt, This World Cup will be held every four years, just like the national teams.. And this will happen in years when there will be no Eurocup either.

Tournament Rules

In addition to these requirements, FIFA has also published the main regulations for this tournament. The distribution of clubs into eight groups of four, progress to the round of 16 for the first two finishers and single qualifying matches at a neutral site were already known. To sum it up, like the National Team World Cup, only without third and fourth place. It was necessary to clarify a number of nuances. For example, two yellow cards will end the sanction cycle, although the cards will be removed after the quarter-finals.

And how are groups defined? FIFA will develop drums based on sporting and geographical factors, but we have not yet achieved this goal.. For example, there is still no Libertadores champion. Further it will be easier to understand the procedure: those from A are crossed with those from B; those from C with those from D; those from E with those from F; and those from G with those from H. This does not happen in the Eurocup due to the lack of control in the organizational structure. Here comes the math.

In the event of a draw on points, as is already known, the opposition between those who played the draw prevails, followed by goal difference or the highest number of goals scored. In the playoffs, as logic dictates, these criteria will no longer exist. FIFA confirms there will be overtime and penalties after removing the requirement for extra time to take care of players’ bruised legs at this point in the film.

FIFA “Safety Certificate” for Players’ Recreation

Clubs must arrive at the venue at least three days before the start of their first match, so giving players a few days’ rest is not an option. At least, FIFA made sure that there was more than enough space for the players to relax.. Participants must submit a list of a minimum of 26 players and a maximum of 50, but on a provisional basis.

The referee will arrive later, a minimum of 26 and a maximum of 35 people, three of them goalkeepers. Here is one of the main novelties of the current Club World Championship. FIFA allows organizations to create massive rosters with a significant number of young players and include rotation during the tournament. Yes indeed Only 26 players can be called up in each match and 9 will be left out..

The problem here is that what appears to be a formula for protecting a player is not. Clubs don’t have 35 elite players and calling up homegrown players is something they could have done before, leaving out injured players or players who were already at the limit of their strength. This is the barbershop theory: in the same room you get better as you go from one to two, also from two to three and from three to four. But is nine to ten positive or counterproductive? The truth is that FIFA gives coaches the right to put B guys on the field, but at the same time forces them “to field the best possible team in competition matches”. A strange contradiction.

What happens to those who end their contract?

The Club World Cup will last until July 13, when many players from the participating teams will already be out of contract. For example, Luka Modric will not officially become a Real Madrid player on July 1.. There is the possibility of permits on the table that will extend their connection for several days. FIFA, at the moment, states that organizations can replace players whose contract ends mid-competition.. They will be able to include, in addition to the 35, two new ones in the middle of the tournament.

For example, If Atletico Madrid sign Lewandowski as soon as the transfer market begins, they will be able to register him for the Club World Cup as Barcelona are not participating. Of course, if you sign Rodrigo Goes, you won’t be able to count on him unless Real Madrid have him on their shortlist.

Finally, FIFA confirmed the existence of awards such as the Ballon d’Or or the Fair Play Trophy and It has not yet been revealed what economic loot its participants will receive. Perhaps the key to everything.