With Mamelodi Sundowns set to have a different transfer window periods ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World, KickOff analyzes the impact thereof.
Sundowns will be operating differently to all other PSL clubs in the winter transfer window due to their scheduled participation in the Club World Cup.
Masandawana, along with other 31 teams in the global club tournament, have been given an interim window period, where they are set to open transfer business earlier than other clubs after the conclusion of the 2024/25 season.
FIFA has given clubs participating in the Club World Cup a temporary window period between 1 and 10 June 2025, where they will be allowed by member associations to sign new players and register them as part of their squads for the expanded tournament in the United States of America.
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Normally, the PSL winter transfer window opens on 1 July ahead of a new season but Sundowns will have a special license to start officially signing players a month earlier, in a period of ten days, should they feel the need to strengthen their squad for participation at the Club World Cup.
That means the Tshwane giants could have urgency to conclude deals behind the scenes much earlier towards the end of the season.
Sundowns could gain an upper hand in the transfer negotiations, as not only will their targets be tempted to play at the Club World Cup but The Brazilians could also be forced to pay substantial fees to secure the players they want, as they will have only a ten-day window to register them with FIFA.
That also means Sundowns could be entitled to recall Matias Esquivel on loan at Argentinian club CA Talleres (bought for a reported R46 million in January 2024 from Club Lanus) much earlier, before his loan deal expires on 30 June, should they feel he can boost their squad at the 32-team tournament.
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As per the world governing body, Masandawana, including other participants at the Club World Cup, will have another window between 27 June and 3 July during the tournament to register new players to play in the competition, although in the second interim transfer window, involved member association transfer windows has to be open for the transfer to be concluded.
Another ruling by FIFA regarding transfer windows ahead of the Club World Cup is that no player can play for two clubs during the tournament.