Gianni Infantino makes major announcement as Chelsea get huge Club World Cup update

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has officially unveiled the trophy that Chelsea and 31 other global football teams are going to be playing for at next summer's inaugural revamped Club World Cup.

Summer is going to look quite different for Enzo Maresca, his Chelsea players and the club's supporters as the Blues return to action sooner than expected. Once a post-season international break has taken place at the start of June, the first-ever revamped FIFA Club World Cup is due to get underway in the United States.

In its previous form - a mid-season competition for only the few continental champions of the previous term - the club had earned two invitations. In 2012 they finished runners-up to Brazilian outfit Corinthians, then returning in 2021 beat Palmeiras in the final to win the title.

Now the system has changed so Chelsea along with English rivals Manchester City, a number of European rivals and teams from further continents - totalling 32 sides - have been invited to take part. Those representing UEFA were selected by their coefficient score that takes results to determine a European club's rank over the previous five seasons.

Like the Men's FIFA World Cup for international sides, the clubs are due to be placed in groups of four and whittle one another down through knockout rounds until the competition's winner is decided.

Invitees already knew they are bound to bag around €50m (£41.5m) for turning up, with other bonuses guaranteed based on performance and the winner in line for €100m (£83.1m) of prize money. Up until now though they had not actually seen what the trophy was they would be getting their hands on.

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In the latest FIFA announcement, they have unveiled the gold prize manufactured by American jewellers Tiffany and Co. The description states that it is 'inspired by pioneering journeys, the periodic table, astronomy and space travel’s historic Voyager Golden Records', whilst it also features 'inscriptions of all 211 FIFA Member Associations, vivid depictions of the game and wording in 13 languages and Braille'.

Speaking on Instagram, Infantino added: "Innovative, inclusive, ground-breaking, truly global. The new 32-club FIFA Club World Cup trophy deserves a trophy that represents all of this.

"Designed by FIFA and crafted in collaboration with Tiffany and Co., I am proud to unveil the FIFA Club World Cup trophy. It is both prestigious and timeless - a golden trophy that is a symbol of the future and inspired by the past.

"The team who lifts this trophy will hold the world of club football in their hands. To the players who lift this trophy, history belongs to you. Let's take it to the world and celebrate as we look forward to a new era for football when the one and only 'FIFA club world champion' lifts the trophy in New York, New Jersey on July 13, 2025."

Chelsea are yet to learn their group opponents for the tournament - that will come during a draw made at 6pm on December 5.

Despite still being months away, the tournament is already attracting scrutiny due to the number of players picking up long-term injuries during the normal football calendar. After the date of the final, it would leave the Blues and their competitors with barely a month to take a rest and prepare for the 2025/26 campaign.