Boca are South America's representatives in the tournament - which also features the likes of European champions AC Milan and AFC Champions League winners Urawa Red Diamonds - after lifting this year's Cope Libertadores.

Riquelme arrived in Argentina on Thursday morning to finalise his move to the club at the same time as FIFA were starting the launch of their competition in Buenos Aires.

But FIFA spokesman Joel Schumacher admitted Riquelme's signing has come too late for the player to be registered in time.

Schumacher explained: "Article 8 of the regulations state clearly that all players in order to be eligible must follow three stages.

"Firstly, to be registered in their respective club, in their respective association. Second, to be submitted in the preliminary list of players to FIFA and third, all the players must be submitted on the final list of players to FIFA.

"Unfortunately that's not the case for Riquelme.

"It's a sign of respect not just for Boca but for the other clubs and all the competition's regulations.

"The regulations do provide for a substitution 24 hours before the initial match, but the substitute has to come from the original squad list submitted to FIFA."

However, despite Schumacher's words, Boca president Pedro Pompilio is hopeful FIFA will reverse the decision.

"FIFA has a legal office which will be in charge of making a decision on this," Pompilio said.

"They (Schumacher and other FIFA representatives) are not responsible for answering questions on Riquelme."