FIFA considering controversial 24-team Club World Cup expansion

FIFA's unglamourous Club World Cup - staged every year between the champions of each continent - could get a face-lift in the form of a 24-team expansion.

On Monday, executive committee member Reinhard Grindel confirmed a proposal to host the event every four years instead of once each season. Grindel, who also serves as president of the German Football Association, opposed the change because he believes a quadrennial tournament like the international World Cup would overburden players.

"The players need rest and time for recuperation in June," the 56-year-old wrote on his Facebook page, courtesy of the Associated Press. "FIFA should focus on the competitions for national teams."

If FIFA were to expand the current competition, it would feature three groups of eight teams over an 18-day period, beginning in 2021. There's some suggestion it could replace the Confederations Cup, which serves as the dress rehearsal exactly a year before each World Cup.

The current Club World Cup boasts the six winners from the Champions League, Asian Champions League, CONCACAF Champions League, African Champions League, Copa Libertadores, and OFC Champions League, as well as the champion from the host nation's top flight.

Despite European teams finding overwhelming success in the competition, it's still an afterthought for the majority of football supporters.

Real Madrid won last year's final against Kashima Antlers 4-2.