In June, 32 teams convened in Paris for the second installment of the Kings World Cup Club, a seven-a-side tournament modeled after the Kings League. The Kings League, initiated in 2022 by Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué, was designed as a more entertaining alternative to traditional football, featuring unique rules that emphasize fun over formality. Matches last for 40 minutes, ties are not allowed, and there are unconventional elements like unlimited substitutions and dice rolls in the 18th minute.
Piqué serves as the president of King’s League Spain, alongside other football icons like Kaka, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Notable players such as Neymar and Ramin Yamal also participate in this edition of the tournament. The Kings World Cup Club, taking place from June 1 to June 14, will be broadcast on CBS Sports Golazo Network and YouTube.
Participating Teams
Kings League Americas
- Olimpo United: Led by Chicharito (previously with Madrid and Manchester United).
- Persian FC: Governed by Zeein and Nicola Porcella.
- Shamos FC: A favorite, featuring star athletes Juan Cisneros and Genaro Castillo.
- Caribbean Galaxies: Includes Futbolitos and Alofoke, with standout Kevin Cardona.
Kings League Brazil
- Furia FC: Backed by Neymar and Chris Goedes, with stars Releti and Masteus Finger.
- FC Flow: Comprised of owners Cerol and Nobru, featuring player Zero Belt.
- Dendele FC: Managed by Paulinho.
- getti: Governed by Toguro and Yuri22, showcasing champion João Pedro.
Kings League France
- F2R: Headed by Amin, with support from Samir Nasri and Jeremy Menes.
- Unit3d: A strong contender led by Squeezie, Djilsi, and Maxime.
- Panam All Stars: Featuring French champions Aurélien Tchouameni, Jules Koundé, and Mike Maignan.
- Crow: Owned by Kameto and coached by Sabry Bezahaf, with standout Mattis Henry.
Kings League Germany
- FC Crazy Football Player: Run by Chefstrobel, Kubaboiii, and Kenan Yıldız (from Juventus).
- Colony: Featuring ex-Bundesliga players Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Moritz Leitner.
- G2 Football Club: Owned by Reeze and Rumathra, backed by streamer Papaplatte.
Kings League Spain
- Portinos FC: Governed by 2024 World Cup champions Ibailanos and Guanyar.
- Jijants FC: Popular among fans and formed by sports journalist Gerald Romero.
- FC Trunk: Captained by former Espanyol legend Joan Verdeau.
- Ultimate Mostoles: Hosted by King’s League Spanish winner DjMariio.
- XBUYER Team: Entered the tournament last-minute, formed by the buyer brothers.
Kings League Italy
- TRM FC: Owned by TherealMarzaa, with stars Alessandro Colombo and Francesco Caputo.
- Gear 7 FC: Managed by Manuso, who lost star Fran Hernandez due to injury.
- FC Zeta: Led by ZW Jackson and Luca Toni, featuring MVP Matteo Perrotti.
- Boomer: Headed by Fedes, with Simone Lo Faso’s double penalty goal contributing.
Wildcard Teams
- Kunisports: Kun Agüero leads this crowd favorite.
- Capital CF: Linked to Ramin Yamal, expected to make an impact.
- Miami 7: Composed of Jake Paul and Adin Ross, showcasing American talent.
- Ultra Chmicha: Managed by well-known streamer Ilyas El Maliki.
- MC MC: Owned by a Japanese creator.
- Jynxzi FC: Run by Twitch giant Jynxzi.
- SXB FC: Managed by Saudi Arabian creator Shongxbong.
- Zaytouna FC: Owned by global music star Gims.
Game Rules and Unique Features
- Match Duration: Each game lasts 40 minutes, divided into two 20-minute halves, with extra time at the end of both halves.
- Ball Drop: At kickoff, a ball descends from a cage, and a player races to retrieve it.
- Initial Setup: The first five minutes feature just one player from each side (plus a goalkeeper), with more players joining every minute until seven per team.
- Alternating Players: After the first five minutes, teams can interchange players freely.
- Dice Roll: Introduced in the 18th minute, this determines player participation for the final two minutes of the first half.
- Tie-breaker Rules: If scores are tied in the last minutes, a double goal system applies, with an immediate victory for the first team to score.
Presidential Penalty: The president can call for a penalty between the 5th to 18th minute and 20th to 38th minute of each half, or it triggers before double goals if not previously utilized.
Secret Cards: Coaches randomly pick a secret card prior to matches, usable leading up to minute 38, impacting game outcomes dramatically.
How to Watch
The Kings World Cup Club matches will be available on CBS Sports Golazo Network and YouTube, with the first round already underway.
Editorial Opinion
This tournament exemplifies the evolving landscape of soccer, where innovation and entertainment are increasingly prioritized. For fans, this means not just witnessing thrilling matches, but also a chance to engage with a more dynamic version of the beautiful game, potentially attracting new audiences globally.
