US Soccer, MLS approves pre-Club World Cup transfer window: Sources

U.S. Soccer has authorized a special, pre-Club World Cup transfer window from June 1-10 and MLS has granted it only for the league’s participating clubs at the Club World Cup this summer, GIVEMESPORT has learned.

U.S. Soccer confirmed its authorization while sources say MLS will allow only participating clubs to utilize it, not the other 27.

The Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami are participating, while LAFC will face Club America in a one-game playoff for the final Club World Cup place. If LAFC enter the tournament, they will be able to utilize the window as well.

Sources say because no Canadian team qualified for the Club World Cup, the Canadian federation would not have the option to open a special transfer window. So if MLS allowed the other 24 American clubs to utilize the extra window, the three Canadian clubs still would not be able to. The league did not believe it would be fair to leave out just the three Canadian teams. Transfer windows signify when teams can register players. Players need to be registered via the country’s federation. MLS is in the unique position of having a league cover multiple federations.

In October, FIFA unanimously approved creating an “exceptional registration window” ahead of the Club World Cup.

Several European leagues have also authorized this window, which only aids their country’s participating teams. European leagues are in the offseason, so it doesn’t have a huge impact on clubs who aren’t in the tournament.

For MLS, though, their season continues this summer and the secondary transfer window doesn’t open until July 24. If Miami, Seattle or potentially LAFC sign a player during the 10-day window, that player can play in the Club World Cup and then MLS games, giving them a boost before the secondary window opens.

The majority of MLS clubs are 13 games through the 34-match league schedule. By the time the secondary transfer window opens, most clubs will have played 24 games, leaving minimal time for summer signings to make an impact.

The Club World Cup kicks off on June 14 in Miami.

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