Fifa Faces Legal Action Over Club World Cup Plans
World players’ union Fifpro and the World Leagues Association, including the Premier League, have threatened legal action against Fifa if it proceeds with plans to host a 32-team Club World Cup next season. These organizations argue that the global football calendar is already saturated, making it difficult for national leagues to organize their competitions effectively. They also claim that players are being pushed beyond their limits, resulting in increased injury risks and negative impacts on their welfare.
The lack of consultation over the congested calendar and its potential impact on players led the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) to seek legal advice back in December. PFA chief executive Maheta Molango has been actively involved in discussions on this issue, including the European Leagues general assembly last month, where Premier League chief executive Richard Masters expressed concerns about the current state of the calendar.
Next season, all three European club competitions will be expanded to include 36 teams. The Champions League and Europa League will have eight first-phase games instead of the current six. This means that a club could potentially have to play 17 matches to win either competition. Manchester City and Chelsea are among the 12 European representatives at the expanded Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States in June and July next year.
In a letter addressed to Fifa president Gianni Infantino and general secretary Mattias Grafstrom, Fifpro and the World Leagues Association argue that if Fifa extends its own competitions, it should also make adjustments to others. They believe that placing the burden of adaptation solely on national leagues and players is unfair and poses a risk to the health and well-being of players.
However, Fifa claims that it has taken player welfare into account when developing its scheduling program. It argues that in countries with an 18-team league and one cup competition, such as Germany, the Club World Cup and Intercontinental Cup would only constitute 2.3% of the total matches played at the club level throughout the season. Additionally, Fifa points out that the influential European Clubs’ Association supported the Club World Cup plans in a statement released in December.
Fifpro and the World Leagues Association believe that they have given Fifa ample opportunities to address their concerns. Nevertheless, they have made it clear in their letter that if Fifa fails to commit to resolving these issues at its council meeting on May 17, they will advise their members on the available options, including legal action against Fifa.
The council meeting in Thailand will bring together all 211 member associations, and a vote on the host nation or nations for the 2027 Women’s World Cup is set to take place. The threat of legal action against Fifa arises as Premier League clubs continue to announce lucrative pre and post-season tours. Several clubs, including West Ham, Wolves, Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Tottenham, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Bournemouth, have already confirmed tours to various destinations around the world.
The concerns raised by Fifpro and the World Leagues Association highlight the growing tension between international competitions and domestic leagues. As the football calendar becomes increasingly congested, players face a higher risk of injuries and fatigue. Balancing the demands of global tournaments with the well-being of players is a complex challenge that requires careful consideration from all stakeholders involved.