Footballers’ Union, FIFPRO and the European Leagues have are suing FIFA over the match calendar after complaints from some players before.
A joint complaint was sent to the European Commission on Tuesday arguing that the game’s governing body is abusing its position of power over the international calendar after the world football body indicated that the World Cup will have 48 teams in 2026 and has also added a new Club World Cup competition next summer, which will run from June 15 to July 15 and includes 32 of the world’s best sides.
“Regretfully, FIFA has consistently refused to include national leagues and player unions in its decision-making process,” European Leagues and FIFPRO Europe said in a statement. “FIFA’s decisions over the last years have repeatedly favoured its own competitions and commercial interests, neglected its responsibilities as a governing body, and harmed the economic interests of national leagues and the welfare of players.”
This follows a European Court of Justice ruling in December which found FIFA and UEFA abused their position as regulator and competition organiser in a case brought by clubs that tried to launch a breakaway Super League in 2021
The European Commission in Brussels is the executive arm of the European Union and can legally intervene on alleged breaches of competition law.
