FIFA has been threatened with legal action by FIFPro and the World Leagues Association, the bodies representing professional players and leagues, if it does not reschedule the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States.
As first reported by The Times, the two organizations have written a joint letter to FIFA, seen by The Athleticto raise concerns about the governing body’s expanding international match calendar and the impact this is having on player welfare and the organization of domestic leagues.
Professional players’ union FIFPro and the World Leagues Association — which represents 46 domestic league competitions worldwide, including Europe’s top five leagues and MLS — have taken particular issue with the 2025 Club World Cup, which has been increased to 32 teams and takes place over 29 days.
They state if the governing body is unable to commit to a resolution, their members will be informed of their options, including legal action, of which the bodies say they have already sought external advice about.
The letter does not propose alternative dates for when the tournament, which is enthusiastically supported by many of the clubs competing within it, should instead take place.
FIFPro and the World Leagues Association has also asked FIFA to reconsider its international match calendar at this month’s FIFA congress.
The 2025 Club World Cup is the first edition of the expanded tournament, which will happen every four years. Next summer’s tournament will include 12 European teams, six CONMEBOL clubs and four teams from CONCACAF and takes place in the US between June 15 and July 13.
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FIFA threatened with legal action over Club World Cup scheduling
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