• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025

Real Madrid Flees From Boss’s Claim It Won’t Play in FIFA’s Troubled Club World Cup

  • Manager Carlo Ancelotti originally said his squad won’t participate in next summer’s tournament held in the U.S.
  • Ancelotti and the team released statements walking back the comments later Monday.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti took a shot at the FIFA Club World Cup in an interview published Monday, a crucial blow to the tournament looking to revamp itself and make a splash in U.S. markets. Then he and his club walked it back.

“Players and clubs won’t participate in that tournament,” Ancelotti told Italian newspaper il Giornale in an interview published in Italian Monday. “One single Real Madrid game is worth €20 million, and FIFA want to give us that amount for the entire competition. Negative.

“Just like us, other clubs will refuse the invitation.”

The remarks became headline news at media outlets like ESPN, Forbes, and The Guardian. Ancelotti and the team quickly both released statements walking back the comments.

“In my interview with Il Giornale, my words about the FIFA Club World Cup were not interpreted in the way I intended,” Ancelotti posted on social media, managing the PR crisis while on vacation in Vancouver. “Nothing could be further from my interest than to reject the possibility of playing in a tournament that I consider could be a great opportunity to continue fighting for big titles with Real Madrid.”

The team also released a short and sweet statement: “Real Madrid CF announces that at no time has its participation in the new Club World Cup to be organized by FIFA in the upcoming 2024/2025 season been questioned. Therefore, our club will compete, as planned, in this official competition that we face with pride and with the utmost enthusiasm to make our millions of fans around the world dream again with a new title.”

Ancelotti’s Real Madrid side is fresh off yet another Champions League title, its second in the last three years under Ancelotti. (He has three other Champions League trophies of his own, including one in 2014 in a previous stint leading Real Madrid.) 

His purported financial concerns only add to the issues FIFA has had in its attempt to make the Club World Cup a major international tournament, taking it from seven teams in its last iteration to 32 in its next. The United States is set to host teams from the UEFA, CONMEBOL, Concacaf, CAF, AFC, OFC, and one of its own leagues during June and July 2025.

Less than two weeks ago, major players’ unions threatened to strike over what they see as FIFA overburdening their schedules with the new tournament format. And plenty of logistical items remain unresolved. Official host cities have yet to be announced, though The Athletic reports New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium and Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium are expected to be the favorites to benefit European TV audiences. Also still up in the air are the media-rights partners, sponsorship agreements, and financial incentives to clubs.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) takes to the court on Jan. 22, 2025, ahead a game against the Purdue Boilermakers.

Unrivaled Makes NIL Splash During WNBA All-Star Weekend

The 3-on-3 women’s basketball league signed 14 college players to NIL deals.
Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Jul 13, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announces the pick for the Athletics pick during the MLB Draft at The Coca-Cola Roxy.

Manfred Says MLB Had Wrong Approach to Creators Like Jomboy

“You gotta go where people are going,” the commissioner said.
(NCL_OSU_11_SUGAR_LAURON 04JAN11) Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) slips around the Arkansas Razorbacks defense during first half of the Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, January 4, 2011.

Terrelle Pryor’s Case for NIL Backpay Dismissed in Court

Pryor played seven years in the NFL after leaving OSU amid a scandal.

Featured Today

Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.

Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Team Loses Another Legal Battle

23XI Racing has lost its Cup Series charter status for the time being.
WNBA
July 15, 2025

Portland WNBA Team Will Be Fire, Bigger Choices Loom

The WNBA’s 15th franchise is bringing back the Fire.
Jul 2, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Jake Mangum (28) leaps for a ball over the wall against the Oakland Athletics in the second inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
July 16, 2025

Rays Will Play Potential Playoff Games at Spring Training Stadium

Tropicana Field is undergoing hurricane renovations.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
May 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots the ball in the second half during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
exclusive
July 14, 2025

Celtics, Lakers Sales Not on Agenda for NBA Board of Governors Vote

The Board of Governors will meet Tuesday.
Alex Rodriguez
July 11, 2025

Finally in Charge, A-Rod Says Timberwolves Need New Arena

Rodriguez and Lore would like to repair team relations with Kevin Garnett.
Alex Sarr
July 9, 2025

Wizards Pushing Limits of Youth With 11 Players on Rookie Deals

Washington’s 2025 first-round pick is top-eight protected.
July 9, 2025

From Dynasty to Disarray: Red Bull Fires Christian Horner

He served as Red Bull team principal for more than two decades.