FIFA is set to host its biggest Club World Cup in 2025, with 32 teams competing in the United States next month. With the tournament coinciding with the summer transfer window, the board has made a special arrangement to address the issue of expiring player contracts.
The Zurich-based world governing body for football will open a mini transfer window for the 32 participating clubs from June 1 to 10, giving them enough time to register their players, which will maximize their Club World Cup 2025 odds of making a deep tournament run.
Several marquee players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Kevin De Bruyne, and Trent Alexander-Arnold will benefit from this mini window for different reasons, and certain clubs can also use this time to reinforce their squads ahead of the showpiece event.
In case you missed it, SBOTOP has you covered with the latest notable Club World Cup 2025 updates.
Ronaldo might close Al-Nassr chapter
Cristiano Ronaldo could be set for a last-minute transfer to play in the Club World Cup next month if certain things fall into place. Following the conclusion of the Saudi Pro League season, Ronaldo hinted he was leaving Al-Nassr in a cryptic social media post that read: “The chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all”. His Al-Nassr contract, believed to be worth more than £170 million a year, runs out at the end of next month.
The 40-year-old striker is fresh from yet another productive campaign with Al-Nassr, taking home his second consecutive Golden Boot after registering 35 league goals. Last season, he had 25 league goals. However, despite his efforts, Al-Nassr finished only third in the table and will miss out on next season’s AFC Champions League.
If Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr chapter is, indeed, over, he will be busy in the next few days finding a new club. Several reports floated the idea of him playing alongside long-time nemesis Lionel Messi in Inter Miami. Brazilian club Botafogo are also reportedly interested in signing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to a short-term deal.
Ronaldo could also explore transferring to Al-Hilal, one of Al-Nassr’s rivals in Saudi Arabia, since they can realistically offer him similar wages. However, most neutral fans would prefer to see him make a sensational return to Sporting, where his professional career started.
De Bruyne likely out of Club World Cup
Kevin De Bruyne will hit free agency when his Manchester City contract expires this summer, and he has been actively looking for a new club for the next chapter of his storied career. The Belgian midfielder made his final appearance during the Sky Blues’ 2-0 win against Fulham last weekend.
De Bruyne said last week that he “won’t play” in the Club World Cup, citing his past criticism of the competition, but he could eventually play in the showpiece tournament, depending on who swoops him up in the transfer window.
Several MLS teams have approached De Bruyne, including the Chicago Fire and Inter Miami, but the 33-year-old playmaker isn’t keen to move to the United States anytime soon. Instead, he might take his talents to Naples, as he’s reportedly set to sign a fresh three-year deal, reuniting him with Red Devils teammate Romelu Lukaku.
Napoli are not part of this year’s Club World Cup, so De Bruyne is likely off the hook. But, since Napoli just won the Serie A, De Bruyne could take part in next year’s tournament.
Real Madrid set to reinforce squad
The mini window opened by FIFA will give Real Madrid ample time to register Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen into their roster while adding more reinforcements. Los Blancos are also reportedly interested in signing Alvaro Carreras from Benfica and Nico Paz from Como. These additions would certainly strengthen the team’s backline and midfield depth.
They should help new manager Xabi Alonso to build a solid foundation ahead of his first full season as Real Madrid boss. The former Bayer Leverkusen head coach has big shoes to fill since he was appointed by Florentino Perez to replace long-time boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Alexander-Arnold made his last appearance for Liverpool during their 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace last Sunday. The Englishman should immediately take the starting right-back spot since Dani Carvajal remains on the mend.
Huijsen is also a shrewd addition for Los Blancos. The 20-year-old center-back is fresh from a breakout 2024-25 campaign with Bournemouth. On the other hand, Carreras could also theoretically take the starting left-back spot since Ferland Mendy is still in the medical room.
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