FA to make huge summer transfer window decision impacting Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham

The Football Association could have the chance to open next summer's transfer window early as FIFA looks to prevent issues with out-of-contract players affecting the Club World Cup.

The global tournament in the United States overlaps with the dates when standard contracts expire and start – June 30 and July 1 respectively. Manchester City, who qualified for the Club World Cup through their 2023 Champions League triumph, would see Kevin De Bruyne out of contract midway through the tournament under current circumstances.

FIFA has proposed an exceptional registration window between June 1 and 10, allowing clubs to sign new players and extend existing contracts beyond June 30. This would apply to all clubs in the country, not just those participating in the Club World Cup. Chelsea, England's other representative due to their 2021 Champions League victory, would also be affected.

It is understood that tournament regulations would also stop any player from switching clubs mid-competition. For example, if the tournament had taken place this summer, Kylian Mbappe would have started it registered to Paris St Germain and ended it registered to Real Madrid.

FIFA has announced that clubs will be given the opportunity to replace players during a window between June 27 and July 3, if a player's contract with the club expires on June 30. This could include players who were already registered with the club prior to the tournament but not originally included, or a new signing.

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FIFA stated that these rules, approved by its Council on Thursday, aim to "seek to address technicalities and equalise inconsistencies created by differences in registration periods and domestic-season timings between participating clubs to the greatest extent possible, while affording flexibility to the FIFA member associations in question". The full details of these rules are expected to be released on Friday.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will kick off a new era for club football across the world, with the top teams competing to be crowned the official FIFA club world champions.

“These regulations will ensure that the best possible conditions are in place in order for all 32 participating clubs and the best players in the world to shine at the highest level.”