Why Man City are not allowed to wear FIFA Champions badge vs Everton if they win Club World Cup

Ninety minutes separate Manchester City from perhaps winning the global championship, but one advantage that comes with that title may not materialize until the new year.

The season’s triple winners are currently in Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup, where they have already secured a spot in Friday night’s main event. Pep Guardiola and his all-star team will take on Fluminense of Brazil in their next match after defeating Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan.

After Marius Hoibraten’s own goal put City ahead in the semifinal, goals from Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva completed the 3-0 victory. Guardiola acknowledged at his press conference after the game that City is about to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with the upcoming final.

He said: “The players know how important it is for the club. This may be the only time we play this in our lifetime. We are there. We will try to win a title we don’t have and finish the circle.”

City is the clear favorite to win on Friday night at 6:00 p.m. UK time. In their subsequent Premier League game against Everton, they might not be able to wear the famous golden badge FIFA awards to the winners, even if they manage to cross the finish line and add world honors to their trophy collection.

Guardiola takes his side to Goodison Park on Wednesday, December 27 (8.15pm) after City jet back into the UK on the back of their mid-season adventure. But that game would come too soon for City to meet the specific kit requirements as outlined by the Premier League.

After winning the Club World Cup, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United were all eligible to wear the golden badge in Premier League games. The Premier League is usually stricter than other European divisions on the subject, but there have also been one or two sources of contention.

City has permission to wear the title in future FA Cup and Champions League matches if they win the world championship, but more information is needed on the Premier League scenario. They would experience a delay in any scenario.

“Strips of the description thus registered shall be worn throughout the season immediately following and no changes to it shall be made except with the prior written permission of the board,” reads Premier League handbook Rule M1.20. The board must receive requests for such approval at least 14 days prior to the league game in which the team in question plans to wear the modified uniform.”

It appears that City would have to wait 14 days following the Club World Cup final to propose changing their uniforms, if they win and the Premier League gives them permission. The trip to Newcastle on January 13 is the first Premier League match that will take place after the postponement.