Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti insist Club World Cup boycott talk was misinterpreted
European champions Real Madrid have been forced to deny they will boycott the first expanded edition of Fifa’s Club World Cup following remarks attributed to their coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Ancelotti was quoted as saying “like us, other clubs will refuse the invitation” to play in next summer’s competition during a wide-ranging interview with Italian outlet Il Giornale.
The competition is due to expand to 32 teams and take place every four summers as Fifa attempts to take a greater stake in the lucrative men’s club game.
But top leagues and players’ unions are opposed to the plan and last month threatened the world governing body with legal action if it does not reconsider.
Real Madrid issued a statement on Monday insisting that “at no time” had they not questioned their participation in the Club World Cup.
“Therefore, our club will play, as planned, this official competition that we face with pride and with the utmost enthusiasm to make our millions of fans around the world dream again of a new title,” they added.
Ancelotti, meanwhile, said on social media that his comments in the interview “were not interpreted in the way I intended”.
“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,” he added.
Il Giornale had quoted him as saying: “Fifa forgets it, players and clubs will not participate in that tournament. A single Real Madrid match is worth €20m and Fifa wants to give us that amount for the entire cup. Like us, other clubs will refuse the invitation.”
The Premier League is among the bodies to oppose the Club World Cup plans, which have been criticised for their impact on player welfare.
Fifa has the backing of the influential European Club Association but Real Madrid is no longer a member having been kicked out for joining the aborted European Super League.
The Spanish club are by far the most successful club in European history, with 15 Champions League or equivalent titles. Their nearest rival has seven.
Europe is scheduled to contribute 12 of the 32 teams in the Club World Cup, the first edition of which will be held in the USA on 15 June to 13 July 2025.