By Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (December 20^th 2025)

The CWC-Effect

The demise of the Confederations Cup created a vacancy in the international football calendar. It had been set aside for national teams – at least then – but there was a huge problem that the suits could not stomach. It was not a money-earner and its prestige was limited. 2017 was the last edition.[1] Its demise left a gap in the international calendar. That was eventually filled by the revamped Club World Cup, which certainly has the money and potential to make more, but what of prestige?

Eventually, it may establish itself and win respect and prestige from all of football. The first edition took place in the USA this summer. The prize-money was eye-watering, but it came at a huge price. The Africa Cup of Nations was badly affected. Moroccan club WAC (Wydad Athletic Club) took part along with three other clubs ( Egypt’s Al-Ahly, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and Tunisia’s Espérance. All 32 participating clubs received at least $9m for taking part, rising according to progress in the tournament. Wydad earned $14m a whopping amount for an African club. Chelsea, the winners and Paris Saint-Germaine the runners-up and European treble winners received $129m and $$119m[2] widening the gap between the world’s élite of the élite and even clubs that were deemed part of the élite 32.

The Bigger Price

This tournament robbed Africa. Morocco won the right to host the 35^th AFCON in 2023, a year after Guinea was stripped of that right. Morocco’s bid was to host in the summer just gone, the ideal time for a North-African country to host. Ironically this would have suited the interests of most European leagues too. If the AFCON had taken place then, the usual beef about clubs losing players to the AFCON would not have happened.

It was therefore in the interests of clubs who risked losing players to the AFCON which would not have benefited from the CWC however successful or big to object strongly in support of Morocco. However, the silence was deafening to put it mildly.

Well over 100 players and their clubs were affected by this decision. Take Sunderland – an extreme example to be sure but few can argue with the effect suffered by the Black Cats. Seven players went to the AFCON – seven! That cannot but have an effect on them. Not only do the lose the players, but also the camaraderie and teamwork built up to December. Their manager, Regis de Bris has no option but to cope, but the effect will not be known now – wait until the summer to see. Will they miss out on European competition next season? Will they get relegated? How will this AFCON affect those clubs and who will foot the bill for the crushed expectations and mangled plans?

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[1] Although accredited, I had to pass at during the competition due to the antics of an unscrupulous lawyer determined to thwart my late mother’s wishes and seize a larger part for himself. I had no choice but to miss the last ever Confederations Cup and despite securing a binding contract, the unscrupulous lawyer still reneged on the terms of the agreement. He has yet to meet his obligations. He now has the support of a bigot masquerading as a coach – the FA and others will be called on to justify their inaction on this vile so-called coach soon, but I digress.

[2] PSG received $168m for winning UEFA’s Champion’s League as well.