FIFPro Criticizes FIFA Club World Cup Over Player Safety, Legal Dispute Intensifies

FIFPro, the global union representing professional footballers, has strongly criticized FIFA's 2025 Club World Cup and its president Gianni Infantino, accusing them of prioritizing revenue over player health and well-being. FIFPro president Sergio Marchi described the tournament as a "fiction" and likened Infantino's approach to that of Roman emperor Nero's "bread and circuses," suggesting the event was mere entertainment masking inequality and lack of protection for players. The union highlighted concerns over extreme playing conditions, including dangerous heat, and the congested match schedules that leave players insufficient rest, with FIFPro having legally challenged FIFA over these issues. FIFPro also condemned FIFA for excluding them from key meetings on player welfare, underscoring a lack of dialogue and respect for those who sustain the sport. While acknowledging the tournament's fan appeal and the gathering of top players, Marchi emphasized the disconnect between FIFA's portrayal of the Club World Cup and the reality faced by most players globally. FIFA and Infantino have defended the competition as the most successful club tournament worldwide, but tensions remain high amid ongoing disputes over player rights and scheduling.