Liverpool are one of the clubs being invited to a new 24-team Club World Cup that FIFA want to hold every four years, starting in 2021.
The new competition would see 12 European clubs – Liverpool, Man United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Ajax, Inter Milan and Juventus, plus three more – invited to compete and share a total of £1.5 billion, with the winners taking home £100 million.
The news comes via a report in the Times, which details how the competition would replace the current annual ‘Club World Cup’ and also see the Confederations Cup being scrapped.
It’s claimed that FIFA president Gianni Infantino is aiming to secure an agreement for the new competition before this summer’s World Cup begins next month.
It’s reported that UEFA and the Premier League are unhappy with the proposal and will oppose the new competition.
The other three clubs from Europe who are in the running to be included are Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, PSG, Porto, Benfica, and Borussia Dortmund.
The other 12 teams would be from outside of Europe, with at least four South American sides and a selection from Africa, Asia, North America and Oceania.
The first host country could be China – taking place in June 2021 – with the format seeing eight groups of three followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
The current FIFA Club World Cup is the only trophy in Liverpool’s history they haven’t won; losing in the final in 2005.
Such a competition could be a game changer for top-level club football in Europe.
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