English and French footballers sue FIFA over revamped Club World Cup

The professional footballers’ unions of England (PFA) and France (UNFP) brought FIFA to court in Brussels on Thursday, May 13, challenging the scheduling set by the world football governing body, particularly concerning the new Club World Cup in 2025.

The unions argue that the expanded Club World Cup, scheduled to take place in the United States in June and July next year, imposes an excessive burden on players.

According to a statement from FIFPRO, the global union for professional footballers, these decisions infringe upon players’ rights and their unions under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and may also breach EU competition law.

Supported by FIFPRO, UNFP and PFA have requested the Brussels Commercial Court to forward the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union, presenting “four questions for a preliminary ruling.”

The unions emphasized in their statement that “players and their unions have consistently highlighted the current football calendar as overloaded and unworkable.”

In early May, FIFPRO and the World Association of Football Leagues had already warned FIFA of potential legal action.

The unions accuse FIFA of expanding its competition schedule despite opposition from player unions, specifically pointing to the increase of Club World Cup teams from seven to 32.

PFA general manager Maheta Molango stated, “The most in-demand players are now part of an endless schedule of games and competitions for club and country, with their limits constantly being pushed through expansion and the creation of new competitions.”

The unions argue that FIFA might be violating European workers’ rights to “collectively bargain over their terms and conditions of employment” and to “healthy and safe working conditions,” as stipulated in European law.

They also reference the European Court of Justice’s ruling in the Super League case from last December, suggesting that FIFA is restricting competition law in a “unilateral and discretionary” manner.

FIFA has not commented on the matter, but sources close to the organization assert that the international match calendar was approved by its ruling Council, which includes representatives from all continental confederations, including UEFA. They also claim that the calendar resulted from extensive consultation, dismissing any suggestion that it was imposed on the football community.