FIFA is under pressure from world players’ union Fifpro and the World Leagues Association, including the Premier League, as they threaten legal action against the governing body’s plans to host a 32-team Club World Cup at the end of next season.
Both organizations argue that the global football calendar is already oversaturated, leading to difficulties in organizing national leagues and posing significant injury risks to players.
The Premier League has expressed concerns over the congested calendar, with chief executive Richard Masters highlighting that the schedule is at a tipping point.
Next season, all three European club competitions will be expanded to 36 teams, potentially requiring clubs to play up to 17 matches to win either the Champions League or Europa League.
In response, Fifpro and the World Leagues Association have written to FIFA, urging the governing body to reconsider its plans and warning of legal action if their concerns are not addressed.
FIFA maintains that it has considered player welfare in its scheduling program, arguing that the Club World Cup and Intercontinental Cup would only represent a small percentage of matches played at the club level over the season in countries like Germany.
The threat of legal action comes ahead of FIFA’s council meeting in Bangkok on 17 May, where the host nation(s) for the 2027 Women’s World Cup will be decided.