Are Cristiano Ronaldo, TAA among last-minute signings? - Club World Cup teams can use exceptional transfer windows to bring players to US

GENEVA, Switzerland:

Last-minute transfer signings are open to all 32 teams going to the Club World Cup in the United States (US) next month, FIFA said on Wednesday, likely fuelling more speculation that one of them will try to sign Cristiano Ronaldo on a short-term deal.

FIFA confirmed all 20 home national federations of the 32 teams have taken up an offer made last year to approve special trading windows for the month-long tournament that opens on June 14 in Miami.

Transfers can be made from June 1-10 and again June 27-July 3 according to exceptional rules FIFA approved in October.

"The objective is to encourage clubs and players whose contracts are expiring to find an appropriate solution to facilitate the players' participation," FIFA said in Wednesday's statement.

One such player is Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is leaving Liverpool where his contract expires on June 30. He is expected to join Real Madrid which could try to reach agreement to take him to the US next month. Liverpool did not qualify for the Club World Cup.

Ronaldo's Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr also did not qualify because they did not win an Asian Champions League title between 2021 and 2024.

That has not stopped speculation that the 40-year-old Portugal great could make a transfer, potentially on a short-term loan, ahead of the Club World Cup.

Such a move would be unprecedented in modern soccer though could appeal to FIFA by boosting the profile and ticket sales of an inaugural tournament being played in 11 US cities. It has been unclear if many fans of the teams will travel to the US for the 63-game tournament.

- AP