FIFA Faces Legal Action from European Players' Unions Over Expanded Club World Cup

FIFA faces legal action from European players' unions over the expanded 2025 Club World Cup, which will feature 32 teams and take place in the U.S. during a previously protected summer break. The English Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and the French Union Nationale des Footballeurs Professionnels, supported by FIFPro Europe, argue that FIFA's decision violates players' rights under EU law by creating an 'overloaded and unworkable' calendar. The lawsuit, filed at the Brussels Court of Commerce, contends that FIFA failed to consult meaningfully with players' unions and infringes on players' rights to guaranteed breaks. The unions seek a referral to the European Court of Justice to address concerns about forced labor, healthy working conditions, and competition restrictions. FIFA has dismissed these concerns, maintaining it is within its rights to set competition parameters and claiming the expanded tournament helps finance global football.