Manchester United CEO Ed Woodward confirms FIFA are considering £9bn revamp of Club World Cup

Manchester United CEO Ed Woodward confirms FIFA are considering £9bn revamp of Club World Cup

Manchester United chief Ed Woodward confirmed FIFA are poring over the merits of a revamped Club World Cup worth almost £9billion.

A consortium of investors from the Middle East and Asia approached the governing body in a deal that also included a ‘global league for national teams’.

The fresh Club World Cup, which United could expect to receive an invite for if created, would take place every four years from 2021 to 2033.

Ed Woodward (left) with Jose Mourinho as the manager signed his new Old Trafford contract

‘The merits and details are currently being considered by FIFA and other stakeholders,’ Woodward said. ‘We continue to believe live sports content will become more valuable.’

Real Madrid, Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are other clubs reported to be in the frame to compete in a list of 12 European heavyweights to have at least three Champions League or European Cup titles.

The move is likely to infuriate UEFA, who may view it as potentially diminishing the Champions League, while questions will also be raised by the Premier League.

Woodward also revealed United season ticket and hospitality packages have sold out in record time ahead of Jose Mourinho’s third campaign in charge.

Lionel Messi celebrates winning the Club World Cup in 2009 with Barcelona

Lionel Messi celebrates winning the Club World Cup in 2009 with Barcelona

And the executive vice chairman claimed Alexis Sanchez’s arrival from Arsenal in January was a factor in the Old Trafford Megastore setting a new third quarter revenue record.

United are also set to find out whether or not their application made to the FA over setting up a women’s team to play in WSL2 next year will be accepted by the end of the month.

Woodward also added that Premier League clubs expect broadcasting revenues to go down once the two remaining TV packages of seven are sold.

Sky and BT have already snapped up five and he said: ‘The final two are being sold at the moment. We expect an update at the AGM in the second week of June. We expect a small reduction.’

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