The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious and contentious events in recent football history. Set to take place from June 14 to July 13, 2025, in the United States, the tournament marks a dramatic expansion from its previous format. Featuring 32 teams in a World Cup-style competition, it replaces the former seven-team knockout structure and will be held every four years. Although the new format promises global exposure and high-stakes football, it has sparked widespread backlash from players’ unions, club managers, and football governing bodies due to its potential impact on player welfare, club schedules, and the football calendar as a whole.
Fixture congestion and player burnout
The most prominent criticism leveled against the 2025 Club World Cup is its strain on an already overcrowded football calendar. Players already endure nearly 10 months of continuous club football, with their only meaningful rest period falling in the summer. However, even that limited break is often occupied by international tournaments. The addition of a month-long summer tournament effectively erases this rest window. With the European club season ending in mid-May and preseason preparations typically beginning by late July, players are left with little to no recovery time. This has raised alarms about injury risks, fatigue, and long-term health concerns.
Financial Incentives
FIFA has framed the tournament as a lucrative opportunity for clubs worldwide, suggesting that each participating team could earn up to €50 million ($57.2 million) However, various investigative reports indicate that this projection is overly optimistic—particularly for non-European clubs. In reality, it is expected that European clubs will take home around 70% of the tournament’s revenue, leaving the remaining 22 teams to share just 30%. For many smaller clubs, especially those from outside UEFA, this is a severe letdown, potentially widening the financial gap between football’s elite and the rest.
Broadcast and commercial struggles
Despite FIFA’s ambitions, commercial and broadcast interest in the new Club World Cup has been lukewarm. In the United States, Fox reportedly bid just $10 million** for broadcasting rights—a figure seen as underwhelming for a tournament of this scale. Eventually, FIFA secured a global streaming deal with DAZN, with reports suggesting it was propped up by support from Saudi Arabia, which is expected to host the 2034 World Cup. Though publicly valued at $2 billion, insiders claim the deal’s real value is closer to $1 billion, casting further doubt on the financial stability and appeal of the tournament.
Arsène Wenger’s defense of the format
Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, has emerged as a strong supporter of the new format. He argues that since the tournament is held once every four years, players will still have time to recover. According to Wenger, advancements in sports science and recovery techniques can offset concerns about increased match load. He claims that the prolonged careers of superstars like Messi and Ronaldo —who played at a high level into their mid-to-late 30s—as proof that proper care and technology can maintain player health, even in crowded schedules. Wenger also emphasises the global benefits of the tournament, especially in helping clubs from outside Europe grow their presence.
Pushback from global football leagues
Despite FIFA’s optimism, many domestic leagues and associations remain unconvinced. The World Leagues Forum, led by Premier League CEO Richard Masters, sent a formal letter to FIFA expressing opposition. They criticised FIFA for pushing the plan without sufficient consultation and warned that it could damage domestic competitions and alienate fans. Prominent managers such as Pep Guardiola have also raised concerns, particularly regarding the physical toll on players. The Professional Footballers’ Association has voiced some of the strongest criticisms. Its CEO, Maheta Molango, accused powerful organisations of using players as “commodities” in a race for more revenue and influence. He warned that excessive games could lead to increased injuries, mental stress, and even players cutting their careers short. The PFA is calling for open dialogue among all football stakeholdersto develop a more balanced calendar that prioritizes player health and the sustainability of the sport.