FIFA Faces Legal Challenge Over Expanded Club World Cup

Soccer players' unions have taken legal action against FIFA over the expansion of the Club World Cup to 32 teams. FIFPRO and its European arm argue that the new schedule increases physical and mental demands on players. The Brussels Court of Commerce will examine the case.

FIFA is facing legal action from soccer players' unions over its decision to expand the Club World Cup to 32 teams. The new tournament, scheduled for June-July 2025 in the United States, has raised concerns about heightened physical and mental demands on players.

The European arm of world players' union FIFPRO announced that member unions in England and France filed a claim against FIFA at the Brussels Court of Commerce. They are challenging FIFA's unilateral decisions on the international match calendar, asserting that it disrupts players' rights to rest periods.

FIFPRO Europe's statement emphasized that the current football schedule is overloaded and unmanageable. Despite FIFA's assurances of adequate rest, FIFPRO Europe argued that the expanded Club World Cup would add up to six weeks of additional work. The case is set to be referred to the European Court of Justice to protect players' fundamental rights.