The Kings League has been a success among the public, organizing several events around the world with a dynamic reinterpretation of football. This January, the Kings League World Cup of Nations is being played in Italy, with the participation of 16 national teams, including Brazil, which is classified for the quarter-finals of the competition.
The initiative was created by a world football legend. Next, the Sporting News brings more details about who is behind the tournament. Check it out!
MORE:
What is the relationship between Gerard Piqué, ex-Barcelona, and the Kings League?
The Kings League is a project created by former player Gerard Piqué. After his retirement in 2022, the former Barcelona and former Manchester United defender has been investing in a career as a businessman and has the 7-a-side football tournament as one of his greatest successes.
Piqué decided to create the competition thinking about reaching a younger audience, consumers of longer-lasting content on social networks, such as Twitch, YouTube and TikTok.
— I believe that when you have a traditional sport and you change its format, conservatives will always prefer what they are used to. This happens throughout society. The important thing in the end is that there is talk, that there is debate, that there are people who like it and people who don’t like it. I think the worst of all is indifference. There are a lot of people who like it and others who don’t like it so much. In the end, we made our way and I believe we are on the right path — analyzed Piqué about the criticism received for his project.
MORE: Quarterfinals of the Kings League World Cup: who does Brazil face and what will be the clashes?
What is the prize for the Kings League World Cup champion?
The Kings League has its club and national team tournaments. In the Kings League World Cup, the winning team receives US$ 1 million (about R$ 6.1 million).
At the World Cup of Nations, which is being held at the beginning of January, the prize for the champion team will be R$5 million. The final will be at the Allianz Stadium, in Turin, Italy.
When is Brazil’s next game in the Kings League World Cup?
Brazil returns to the court this Thursday (05/01), at 2pm. The opponent has yet to be defined and will emerge from the clash between Spain and Türkiye.
Brazil’s squad at the Kings League World Cup of Nations?
- Goalkeepers: João Pedro Isidório and Josildo Barata
- Defenders: Wembley Luiz and Maicon Silva
- Socks: Jefferson Melo, Andreas Vaz, Wellington Rodrigues, Davi Ilario and Matheus Rufino
- Attackers: Lipão Pinheiro, Leonardo ‘Leleti’ Garcia, Kelvin Oliveira and João Victor Assumpção
MORE: When will the Kings League be in Brazil?
What is the Kings World Cup of Nations?
The Kings World Cup Nations is an international event that will bring together 16 national teams in a championship that will be held from January 1st to 12th in Italy. This tournament will be played in a Swiss format, with knockout games, where each match will be decisive to advance.
The teams will compete in a first phase with two rounds. Those who win two games will go directly to the quarterfinals. Teams that win one match and lose the other will compete in the Last Chance, where they will have the opportunity to earn a place in the quarterfinals. On the other hand, teams that lose both games in rounds 1 and 2 will be eliminated.
The big finale will take place on January 12th, in an iconic setting: the Allianz Stadium, in Turin. There, the two best teams will face each other in a final that will define the first champion in the history of the Kings World Cup Nations.
