FIFPro slam FIFA’s Club World Cup plans for 2025

FIFPro have slammed FIFA’s decision to have a FIFA Club World Cup for the year 2025.

The Club World Cup takes place in the summer of 2025, with the dates expected to be between June and July. A total of 32 teams are expected to play the tournament, but this would mean that European clubs will play the Club World Cup right after the regular season ends, increasing the number of games they play by a big amount.

FIFPro have now slammed FIFA’s decision to start the tournament in 2025, criticising the workload that it increases on the players.

Their statement said (via La Repubblica): “The decision of the Fifa Council to plan the first edition of the 32-team Club World Cup between 15 June and 13 July, without implementing further measures to safeguard the players’ workload, demonstrates a lack of consideration for the mental and physical health of the participating players, as well as a disregard for their personal and family lives.

“The expanded competition will reduce rest and recovery time for these players in the 2024-25 season and further disrupt national labor markets, altering the balance between domestic and international competitions. Players will be expected to perform at the end of an 11-month season with little prospect of getting sufficient rest before the next season begins.”

FIFPro further state that players were never asked about the decision to increase the workload on their shoulders, with Milan manager Stefano Pioli and Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri supporting the statement. Sarri has always been very vocal about the higher number of games that footballers have to play and how that doesn’t just increase the load on them, but also how it reduces the quality of football on display.

Kaustubh Pandey | GIFN