Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid Clarify FIFA Club World Cup Stance

• Real Madrid and manager Carlo Ancelotti have issued different statements clarifying their FIFA Club World Cup stance
• Italian manager Ancelotti was quoted in an interview earlier today claiming the club will not participate in the tournament
• Football governing body FIFA expanded the competition to 48 teams and will hold it for one month in the summer of 2025

Real Madrid and their head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, have released separate statements to clarify the club’s position on the FIFA Club World Cup after the manager's words earlier today.

FIFA will host an expanded Club World Cup in the summer of 2025, with 48 teams from across the world converging in Morocco between June and July next year.

Ancelotti was quoted in an interview with Il Giornale this morning as claiming that the current UEFA Champions League holders will not be participating.

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The Italian manager added that some other clubs will withdraw from the tournament due to its low financial remuneration.

Real Madrid confirm FIFA Club World Cup participation

Madrid, five-time winners of the competition, have released an official statement to debunk their manager's interview and affirm their commitment to the tournament.

“Real Madrid C. F. would like to announce that at no time has there been any question regarding our participation in the new Club World Cup to be organised by FIFA in the coming 2024/2025 season,” the statement reads.

“Our club will, therefore, take part, as planned, in this official competition, and we are proud and excited to be involved in it, and we will once again inspire our millions of fans all over the world with another trophy.”

Los Blancos are among the favourites for the competition, which will also involve other top European clubs, including Manchester City and Chelsea.

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Ancelotti clarifies Club World Cup interview

Ancelotti also took to his X Page to write a rejoinder about the interview, claiming his words were taken in a way he had not intended.

“In my interview with Il Giornale, my words about the FIFA Club World Cup have not been interpreted in the way I intended,” the statement reads.

“Nothing could be further from my interest than rejecting the possibility of playing a tournament that I think can be a great opportunity to continue fighting for great titles with Real Madrid.”

The 65-year-old is a three-time winner of the competition, two with Real Madrid and one with former club AC Milan.

Ancelotti agrees with Mourinho about Italy

Sports Brief reported on Carlo Ancelotti agreeing with Jose Mourinho in his assessment of the Italian national team at the 2024 European Championship.

Mourinho claimed Italy lacked the talents required to defend its crown, while Ancelotti claimed his country lacked the generational change required after its last triumph.