New Club World Cup could overlap with Gold Cup says Montagliani

Victor Montagliani

FIFA’s new Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States in 2025, could “overlap” with CONCACAF Gold Cup being held in the same country, CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani said on Friday.

Montagliani, who is also a FIFA vice-president, told AFP in an interview that talks were already under way between the two bodies to avoid clashes of kick-off times and other potential headaches.

FIFA announced last month that their new-look, expanded 32-team Club World Cup would debut in the United States in 2025.

The Gold Cup, which is held every two years and has it’s final on Sunday in Los Angeles, features national teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean.

“We’ve already entered into discussions with FIFA, with both our competition teams, to ensure that there’s a synergy between a calendar, routing of stadiums and kick-off times so that it’s a win-win for each event, but also a win-win for the fans,” Montagliani said.

“There could be an overlap. It won’t be identical (times), but there could be an overlap, as has happened in the past between other tournaments. But I think an overlap is fine,” added the Canadian head of the regional governing body.

Venues are unlikely to be a problem for either tournament with a number of NFL stadiums already in regular use for international games along with MLS grounds.

The time difference between East Coast and West Coast could also help ease the conflict between the two tournaments, although their could yet be issues around player availability.

Montagliani said that off-days for each tournament allows some leeway.

“You might have some overlaps in the group stage. (We have to) make sure our kickoff times are coordinated. If you do it right, it’ll work. It’s up