The Premier League may have to operate two separate transfer windows this summer due to disruptions caused by the Club World Cup. FIFA has announced an interim transfer window at the end of the season, allowing participating clubs, including Chelsea and Manchester City, to strengthen their squads and extend player contracts before the tournament begins on June 14.
However, many other Premier League clubs are frustrated at the prospect of being locked out of the market during this period. To avoid being at a disadvantage, they are pushing for the domestic window to open earlier than usual. Last year, the summer transfer window ran from June 14 to August 30, but the new FIFA-imposed timeline could alter this structure significantly.
FIFA’s interim transfer window for Club World Cup teams is set for June 1-10. Given that FIFA regulations limit a transfer window to a maximum of 89 days, the Premier League cannot keep its window open for the entire summer if it aligns with this early start. If the league chooses to begin its window on June 1, it may be forced to close it earlier than usual, which would leave clubs vulnerable to late bids from teams in Europe and Saudi Arabia.
One potential solution being considered is opening the window at the beginning of June, pausing it during the Club World Cup, and then reopening later in the month. FIFA has allowed national leagues with teams in the tournament to open their windows early to ensure fairness within domestic competition, but this provision does not apply globally. The English Football League (EFL) will also be affected by this rule.
The situation is particularly concerning for Premier League clubs struggling to comply with the competition’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR). Teams like Manchester United, Newcastle, and Aston Villa face pressure to balance their finances, and player sales in June could be crucial in meeting regulatory requirements. Last year, Newcastle and Villa avoided potential PSR breaches by selling key players, and Manchester United may have to follow a similar strategy this summer.
FIFA has also introduced exceptional contract extensions for players whose deals expire on June 30, allowing them to finish the tournament with their current clubs. This affects players like Kevin De Bruyne at Manchester City, as well as Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies and Joshua Kimmich, and Real Madrid’s Luka Modric, Ferland Mendy, and Lucas Vázquez.
Another FIFA ruling states that players who transfer before the Club World Cup begins cannot represent two different clubs in the competition. Additionally, an exceptional registration window between June 27 and July 3 will allow Club World Cup teams to replace players whose contracts expire during the tournament. During this period, teams can register two additional players who will not count toward the 35-man squad limit.
The Premier League recently discussed these challenges with clubs during a shareholders’ meeting, though no final decision was reached. The most likely outcome is an early opening on June 1, a brief closure when the Club World Cup starts, and a reopening later in the summer.
The introduction of the expanded Club World Cup has added further congestion to an already packed football calendar. It has also fueled tensions between the Premier League and Manchester City, as the club’s request to delay the start of the 2025-26 domestic season was rejected, much to the frustration of manager Pep Guardiola. The league’s ongoing legal dispute with FIFA over scheduling conflicts and consultation issues further complicates the matter.
