FIFA announce new 10-day transfer window to avoid self-inflicted problems

FIFA have decided to bring in a new transfer window next summer to get around problems created by the .

The tournament will be played in the United States from June 15 to July 13, with 32 sides involved, including , , and . The scheduling of the competition brought difficulties because the contracts of key players involved are due to expire on June 30.

Without any changes to the current transfer window system, the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan could see themselves become free agents mid-tournament. Similarly, Jadon Sancho’s loan from to Chelsea is set to expire on June 30, while Bayern have seven players reaching the end of their deals, including Joshua Kimmich and Alphonso Davies.

Meanwhile, sides involved could be distracted by trying to sign other free agents, which could include ’s soon-to-be out-of-contract trio Virgil van Dijk, and .

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FIFA have therefore made the call to create a 10-day “exceptional registration window” from June 1, allowing players joining them to play in the Club World Cup. The idea was unanimously agreed at the FIFA council on Thursday and is expected to be green-lighted by national associations next.

FIFA will also allow a second temporary six-day window from June 27 for the participating clubs to replace or re-register players whose deals expire mid-tournament. The changes mean that players could play for two teams in the same season if they joined a club playing in the Club World Cup before it kicks off – but they are prevented from representing two sides in the competition. The new rules mean that, for example, Bayern could lose Davies to Real Madrid before facing him just days later in the Club World Cup.

Currently, clubs are only permitted to make transfers in the summer and January windows. However, this move isn’t without precedent, with FIFA previously amended transfer rules in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic extended the season into the summer.

FIFA said the “objective” was to “encourage clubs and players whose contracts are expiring to find an appropriate solution to facilitate the players’ participation”. The Club World Cup has so far proven unattractive to broadcasters, who have , prompting Gianni Infantino to hold an emergency meeting to drum up interest.

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

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