The controversy surrounding FIFA’s proposed £600 million Club World Cup tournament is intensifying, with England’s top players potentially facing a difficult decision between club and country. The tournament, scheduled to take place in the USA next summer, has drawn criticism from league bosses and player unions worldwide. The main concern is the timing of the event, as league chiefs are pushing for it to be brought forward by two weeks to allow players a proper break after the domestic season. However, this would clash with FIFA World Cup qualifiers, meaning players like England captain Harry Kane and his teammates would have to choose between representing their country or participating in the Club World Cup.
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) chief, Maheta Molango, has warned that Premier League players are prepared to go on strike if they are forced to participate in the revamped club competition against their will. In addition, the World Leagues Association and international players’ union FifPro are in the process of drafting legal proceedings to prevent the tournament from taking place as planned. They argue that playing the tournament from June 1 to June 29 would allow players a proper summer break before the start of the 2025-26 campaign.
The leagues have proposed this alternative timeframe to FIFA, as it would ensure that players have sufficient rest ahead of the upcoming season. A source from one of the leagues involved emphasized that this is the only acceptable solution. They have also pointed out that FIFA has already designated the first two weeks of June for international football, so those dates should be part of the window for the Club World Cup, rather than in addition to it.
Richard Masters, the Premier League’s chief executive, is already making contingency plans for the potential impact on English clubs. If teams like Manchester City and Chelsea advance deep into the tournament, they could miss the start of the 2025-26 season. This concern arises from the fact that the Club World Cup originally launched as an eight-team winter event in 2000 but has now expanded to a 32-team tournament.
FifPro and the PFA are advocating for a minimum three-week break to be included in all professional contracts to ensure players have adequate rest between seasons. The possibility of strike action has been raised, with Maheta Molango stating that players have expressed their refusal to participate and are willing to go on strike if necessary. Darren Burgess, Arsenal’s former head of elite performance, has also highlighted the potential strain on players, suggesting that teams like Chelsea and Manchester City could play up to 86 games in the following season when factoring in the Club World Cup and international fixtures.
The situation remains unresolved, with FIFA facing pressure to make a decision that considers the concerns of both leagues and players. The outcome will determine whether England’s top stars will have to make the difficult choice between club commitments and international duty, while also impacting the scheduling and preparation for future seasons.