The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) has lodged an official complaint with the European Commission against FIFA over its decisions regarding the international match calendar, including the scheduling of the 2025 Club World Cup.
The tournament, set to take place next summer in the United States, will feature several top teams, including Egypt’s Al Ahly.
In a statement, FIFPro emphasized that the complaint concerns FIFA’s match calendar, which it argues violates European Union competition laws.
The organization expressed concerns that the current scheduling places undue strain on players and threatens the economic sustainability of national competitions.
The statement highlighted that the international calendar, which includes events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2025 Club World Cup, could compromise player safety and well-being.
By setting a congested schedule, FIFPro claims, FIFA is putting the health of players at risk and potentially destabilizing local leagues that rely on consistent participation from their players.
Lack of Player Safety Measures Cited
FIFPro, alongside European football leagues and the Spanish Football League (La Liga), filed the complaint, stressing that the schedule fails to address adequate measures for player safety.
The coalition argues that FIFA’s decisions demonstrate a disregard for the legal boundaries set by European governing bodies and amount to an abuse of its dominant position.
The complaint also underscores concerns over the impact of these international fixtures on national competitions.
By dictating a packed schedule, FIFA is seen as prioritizing its own tournaments over the well-being of players and the integrity of domestic leagues.
The coalition is urging the European Commission to take action to ensure FIFA adheres to the rules and regulations that safeguard competitive balance and player welfare across Europe.
The case could have significant implications for FIFA, which has faced criticism before over the expansion of international tournaments.
With the 2025 Club World Cup set to feature more teams than ever before, the calendar congestion is likely to grow, sparking further debate over how the global football schedule should be managed.
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