Serie A wants to organize 'strategic' tournament in U.S. during World Cup

Serie A chief executive Luigi De Siervo says Italy's top flight wants to organize a tournament in the United States during this year's World Cup.

The competition, which would feature players not selected for their national teams, would fill the prolonged domestic break while the World Cup is played and is designed to boost Serie A's international profile.

"We want to keep our players fit while promoting ourselves in a market which we consider strategic," De Siervo told Reuters' Elvira Pollina.

De Siervo added that match dates and kickoff times would be arranged "to avoid any overlap with the World Cup calendar."

The United States men's national team is on course to compete at the prestigious international tournament while it holds a four-point cushion in CONCACAF's World Cup qualification places.

Meanwhile, Italy needs to beat North Macedonia to set up a one-legged playoff against Portugal or Turkey for a place at the World Cup. The all-important UEFA qualification matches are scheduled in March.

Though discussions are still in their early stages, Pollina understands Serie A's tournament would begin in Orlando a week after the World Cup begins. It would include a group stage and knockout matches from the quarterfinals.

Serie A is exploring the possibility of introducing temporary loan agreements to fill out squads depleted by World Cup call-ups.

A final decision could be made within two months following approval from UEFA and other authorities, according to Serie A's head of competitions Andrea Butti.