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By Sibongiseni Gumbi

Football Writer


Safa to bid for Fifa Club World Cup

The South African Football Association (Safa) have revealed that they are planning on bidding for the 2021 Fifa Club World Cup which will then have 24 teams and an multi-billion budget.


If South Africa are awarded the right to host, they will be guaranteed at least one spot as hosts and Safa president Danny Jordaan has set this as one of the priority projects for his second term of office.

“There is a proposal to move it from seven teams to 24 teams. Out of the 24 teams, Europe gets 12, Africa gets two, North America gets two, Asia gets two and South America gets six. We are clearly not happy with the allocation,” said Jordaan.

READ: Safa to reveal who they are backing for 2026 World Cup

Fifa have proposed that the Club World Cup be held once in four years and have already secured sponsorship to the tune of $25-billion for the event should it be approved, Jordaan said.

“It will now be every four years. They take two finalists from the Euefa Champions League for the four years and add the four Europa League winners to make 12 for Europe. We as Africa are unhappy about the allocation of spots.

“I will meet Fifa president Gianni Infantino and discuss these issues. We have fought for the allocations of spots for Africa and this can’t happen now. We believe they should just take the winners from Europe, why bring losers back into it? If we can get four as Africa, it would be better.

“Fifa already has a $25-billion sponsor ready for the increased Club World Cup. As hosts we will be guaranteed participation as we will have a spot. I think we will take the league winner of that year.

“The increased Club World Cup is targeted to start in 2021 and we will be making an indication that we would want to host it. This would be big for this country,” said Jordaan.

READ: Safa to bid for Women’s World Cup

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