Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)
May 2025
FIFA is holding talks to ensure Cristiano Ronaldo plays in the 2025 Club World Cup, despite Al Nassr not qualifying. His current contract ends June 30, and he may join a qualified club.
FIFA has introduced a mid-tournament registration window allowing clubs still in the competition to register players after the group stage, potentially enabling Ronaldo’s late inclusion
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)
May 2025 (ahead of Club World Cup starting June 14)
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has suggested Cristiano Ronaldo may still play in this summer’s Club World Cup, despite Al Nassr failing to qualify. Infantino revealed there are “discussions” involving other clubs potentially signing Ronaldo in time for the tournament.
FIFA has approved a special transfer window from June 1 to June 10 for participating clubs to make new signings before the expanded 32-team event kicks off in the U.S. on June 14. Ronaldo’s current deal with Al Nassr is set to expire this summer.
All 20 Football Associations of Club World Cup teams
June 1–10, 2025
A special transfer window will open for all 20 Football Associations involved in the 32-team Club World Cup, allowing clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea to buy and sell players during that period.
The window, agreed to by participating nations, is designed to facilitate squad changes ahead of the tournament. Deals like Dean Huijsen’s £50m move from Bournemouth to Real Madrid are already being finalized under this provision.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)
May 2025
Botafogo coach Renato Paiva addressed reports linking Cristiano Ronaldo with a surprise move to the Brazilian club ahead of the Club World Cup, calling him “a goal-scoring machine” and saying “you can’t say no” to such a star.
Paiva laughed off the speculation but admitted Ronaldo would fit into Botafogo’s attack. The coach hinted the final call lies with club owner John Textor. Ronaldo’s deal with Al Nassr ends June 30.
Liverpool
Summer 2025
Liverpool will not participate in the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup despite being UEFA’s higher-ranked side, missing out due to FIFA’s two-club-per-nation rule.
Chelsea and Manchester City qualified based on past Champions League wins, leaving Liverpool excluded despite strong UEFA ranking; Liverpool will instead focus on a pre-season tour of Asia.
Wesley Fofana (Chelsea)
April 6
Chelsea confirmed that defender Wesley Fofana has undergone successful hamstring surgery and is expected to miss the rest of the season, including the Club World Cup this summer.
After suffering a fresh muscle injury shortly after returning from a long layoff, Fofana was assessed by specialists who recommended surgery. He’ll now begin a rehab program with Chelsea’s medical team at Cobham. He’s played just 14 league games this season.
León, James Rodríguez, Eduardo Berizzo
March 2025
FIFA expelled León from the Club World Cup due to shared ownership with Pachuca, prompting outrage from the team and its captain, who called the move unfair and damaging to the sport.
FIFA cited multi-club ownership rules, but León’s players and coach argue they’ve done nothing wrong. The club is appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, while Costa Rica’s Alajuelense has expressed interest in taking León’s spot.
Kevin De Bruyne (Pep Guardiola)
March 2025
Pep Guardiola confirmed talks between Manchester City and Kevin De Bruyne are ongoing, with the midfielder’s contract set to expire this summer.
Guardiola emphasized the focus remains on City’s push for silverware this season, including the FA Cup, Premier League, and Club World Cup, leaving negotiations to the club and De Bruyne’s camp.
Claudio Echeverri (Manchester City)
March 2025
Manchester City will wait until the summer to decide the next step in Claudio Echeverri’s development, following his February arrival from River Plate.
Echeverri has been training with Pep Guardiola’s first team but hasn’t featured in a matchday squad. City are evaluating loan interest from Girona and Lazio, with a final decision expected post-season. Separately, James McAtee will meet with Guardiola to determine if he joins City’s Club World Cup squad or England’s Under-21 Euro team.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
Potentially June–July 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo could join Inter Miami on a short-term deal for the FIFA Club World Cup, linking up with Lionel Messi.
With no contract extension yet agreed at Al-Nassr, Ronaldo is reportedly open to a brief U.S. stint before returning to Saudi Arabia. The move would allow the 40-year-old to feature in FIFA’s expanded 32-team Club World Cup hosted in the United States.