Mamelodi Sundowns will get an opportunity to sign new players earlier than their PSL rivals thanks to their participation in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
With the Club World Cup set to take place in the United States from June 14 to July 13, FIFA has made special arrangements for all 32 participating clubs, which will not only allow them to strengthen their teams for the tournament, but also navigate the tricky situation of players whose contracts will run out during the tournament.
Most players’ contracts run from July 1 to June 30 and it means a number of players will find themselves out of contract while at the tournament.
To get around this, FIFA has proposed a special transfer window for the Club World Cup teams as well as an “exceptional registration window” that will open from June 1-10, allowing participating clubs to sign new players ahead of the tournament.
How will special transfer window work?
“The decision as to whether or not to open an additional window remains at the full discretion of each FIFA Member Association concerned,” said FIFA over the directive, meaning Sundowns and the other African teams in the Club World Cup will have to wait for directives from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Additionally, FIFA will allow clubs to “replace players during a restricted in-competition period” from June 27 to July 3, in time for the knockout stages of the tournament, meaning “a ‘standard' registration window must be open for the club at the time.”
It means Sundowns can sign more players to strengthen their side not just for the tournament but for the coming season.
The Brazilians have been linked with a number of players such as Tanzanian midfielder Feisal Slum of Azam FC and Polokwane City’s Oswin Appollis while defender Lucas Suarez is on loan until the end of the season from Argentine side CA Talleres and his future will likely be decided during this special window.
