Players forced to give up vacation to play Club World Cup, says Raphinha

Brazil's Barcelona forward Raphinha regretted that the players were not consulted about extending their season to play at the Club World Cup, adding that nobody should be obliged to give up their vacation time. (AP/File)
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Updated 27 June 2025
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Players forced to give up vacation to play Club World Cup, says Raphinha

  • Raphinha said: “Marquinhos and Beraldo, from Paris St. Germain, won the Champions League and didn’t even get to celebrate properly”
  • “If PSG reach the Club World Cup final, they will have the Super Cup right away. It doesn’t stop“

BARCELONA: Brazil’s Barcelona forward Raphinha regretted that the players were not consulted about extending their season to play at the Club World Cup, adding that nobody should be obliged to give up their vacation time.

The first expanded edition of the Club World Cup started on June 14 and will run until July 13. The competition followed the European league season which concluded in late May and an international window at the beginning of June.

“Speaking particularly as someone who plays for a European team, we would (currently) be on vacation,” Raphinha said.

“Marquinhos and Beraldo, from Paris St. Germain, won the Champions League and didn’t even get to celebrate properly. They came to the national team and then went to the Club World Cup. They still haven’t stopped.

“Many say that this is an excuse. It may or may not be, but having to give up our vacations out of obligation is very complicated. It’s our right. Everyone deserves at least a month of vacation. And many of them won’t get it.”

Most of the major European leagues will be back in action in mid to late August, with the pre-seasons starting early in the month.

“If PSG reach the Club World Cup final, they will have the Super Cup right away. It doesn’t stop,” Raphinha added.

“It depends on your point of view. From my point of view, it’s very bad to give up your vacation to play something that you are forced to do. At no point did they ask the players if they wanted to.

“It (should be) up to us to accept it. Having to give up your vacation to play in a new tournament is very complicated.”

PSG will face Tottenham Hotspur for the Super Cup on August 13.


International field confirmed for LIV Golf Promotions at Black Diamond

Updated 15 sec ago
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International field confirmed for LIV Golf Promotions at Black Diamond

  • The four-day, 72-hole stroke play event presents one of the most dynamic entry points into the global golf ecosystem

NEW YORK: LIV Golf on Monday announced the preliminary field for the third edition of LIV Golf Promotions, set for Jan. 8–11, 2026, at the acclaimed Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Florida. 

The four-day, 72-hole stroke play event presents one of the most dynamic entry points into the global golf ecosystem, offering coveted spots in the 2026 LIV Golf League and The International Series, sanctioned by the Asian Tour.

Highlighting the global aspect of the LIV Golf League, leading players from all over the world are eligible to participate, with 87 players representing 24 countries registered to compete. 

This year’s field features a strong blend of emerging global talent and proven professionals, with an average age of 30 years old, including former top-50-ranked players, Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup participants, winners on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and Asian Tour, and additional rising stars in the game.

“The evolution of LIV Golf Promotions reflects our continued commitment to creating truly open and competitive pathways for players from all over the world to compete at the sport’s highest levels,” said LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil. 

“We’re seeing world-class talent, from decorated former amateurs to experienced professionals, all seizing the opportunity to compete for their place in the League alongside major champions, Hall of Famers, and rising stars.”

LIV Golf Promotions will consist of four rounds of 18-hole stroke play. Those who finish in the top 20 and ties from the first round will advance to Friday’s second round, where scores will reset, and the field will be joined by a category of players who automatically qualified for day two of competition. The top 20 players and any ties following round two will advance to the third day of competition, with scores reset once more. A 36-hole shootout will commence, and at Sunday’s conclusion, the top two finishers will earn two highly coveted spots in the LIV Golf League for 2026, as well as $200,000 for first place and $150,000 for second place. The top 10 finishers, including ties, will earn full exemption into the 2026 International Series.

The current field features many standout names, including:

• Chris Wood (England): 2016 Ryder Cup player and three-time European Tour winner

• Pablo Ereno (Spain): 2025 Palmer Cup player and former sixth-ranked player in World Amateur Golf Rankings

• Miguel Tabuena (Philippines): Two-time Olympian and third-ranked player in 2025 International Series standings

• Christopher Wood (Australia): Current top-ranked player on the PGA Tour of Australasia

• Yuxin Lin (China): Two-time Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion

• Alex Levy (France): Five-time DP World Tour winner.

LIV Golf League players without a 2026 team commitment who finished the season in the Open Zone (25th-48th), as well as relegated players (49th-54th), also have an opportunity to secure their playing rights for the 2026 season.

Several returning LIV Golf players are entered in the field, including Ben Campbell, who competed with RangeGoats GC and finished the season ranked 36th in the LIV Golf standings; Matt Jones, formerly of Ripper GC, who concluded the year in 40th place; and Anthony Kim, a three-time PGA Tour winner and former world No. 6 who was a member of the victorious 2008 US Ryder Cup team, finishing the season ranked 55th.

For more information, including the list of eligibility criteria, visit LIVGolf.com.