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FIFA President Gianni Infantino and European Club Association (ECA) President Nasser Al-Khelaifi signed on Monday (27 March 2023) a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between FIFA and ECA at the 29th ECA General Assembly in Budapest, Hungary.
The long-term agreement, until 31 December 2030, strengthens the relationship between FIFA and ECA and provides long-term stability to the national team and club game. The MoU includes a renewed commitment by the clubs to follow the international fixture calendar, which was unanimously approved by the FIFA Council on 14 March 2023, until 2030.
And the ECA confirmed its support for the new FIFA Club World Cup from 2025, featuring 12 European clubs, an annual match between the winner of the UEFA Champions League and the winner of an intercontinental play-off and a FIFA Women’s Club World Cup to be created…
The club benefits program, which compensates all clubs who release players for the men’s World Cup, will now increase from $209 million for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups to $355 million for the 2026 and 2030 tournaments.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “This is an important day for the future of football and its long-term stability. We are very pleased to renew and strengthen our cooperation agreement with ECA, a key stakeholder representing clubs from across Europe.
“Having the new international fixture calendar approved by the ECA provides the necessary balance between club and national team football. We have exciting projects ahead, including the new FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and the new FIFA Women’s Club World Cup. Close cooperation with clubs in Europe and the rest of the world will be crucial to the success of these events.”
ECA Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi said: “We are delighted to have signed this landmark agreement. The Memorandum of Understanding recognizes the central role of clubs in football globally and ensures that they are properly represented in decision-making on matters that affect them.
“FIFA and ECA will now also establish closer working methods for a future renewed Club World Cup, including the sporting and commercial aspects for the 2025 edition, and work together on future editions, including on potential structures to manage the commercial rights going forward.
“We look forward to working closely with FIFA over the coming months and years to ensure that the benefits of new and expanded competitions in both men’s and women’s football are properly shared across the ecosystem.”
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