In a renewed pushback against FIFA, world players' union FIFPRO and the World Leagues Association have called for the rescheduling of the expanded Club World Cup and a reform of the international match calendar. The organizations have expressed concerns regarding players' welfare and their "fundamental rights." FIFA has been accused of pushing players "beyond their limits, with significant injury risks" by expanding its competitions, according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press.

The new version of the Club World Cup is set to take place from June 15 to July 13 next year in the United States. It features a 32-team format and is seen as FIFA's response to the dominance of the Champions League and English Premier League. The tournament will be held every four years during the offseason of most top leagues and in-between the World Cup and European Championship.

However, the plans for an expanded competition have sparked concerns over the demands on players, especially with an already congested match calendar. FIFPRO's report last year highlighted that 43% of World Cup players surveyed had experienced "extreme or increased mental fatigue." The current schedule now includes an expanded 48-team World Cup from 2026, making it three consecutive years of major competitions during the usual offseason. This year, the European Championship and Copa America are being held, followed by the next World Cup in 2026.

FIFA had claimed that the dates for these competitions would be "harmoniously aligned with the international match calendar" to ensure sufficient rest for players before domestic league starts. However, FIFPRO believes that there is an urgent need for changes to protect the physical and mental health of players.

In their letter, FIFPRO and the World Leagues Association demand the immediate amendment of the international calendar, controlled by FIFA. They call for the rescheduling of the Club World Cup and reopening of discussions on the release periods for players from 2024-2030. Additionally, they seek a review of the "Intercontinental Cup," which effectively replaces the old short-format Club World Cup.

The letter also warns that legal action against FIFA could be considered if the governing body fails to comply with their demands. FIFPRO states that leagues and players should not be expected to simply adapt to FIFA's decisions, driven solely by the organization's business strategy. The matter is deemed urgent and requires immediate attention from both a procedural and substantive perspective, according to the letter.

As concerns mount over player welfare, the pushback against the expanded Club World Cup highlights the ongoing struggle to balance the demands of an increasingly crowded match calendar with the well-being of athletes. The response from FIFA and the resolution of this dispute will be closely monitored, with the future of the tournament and players' rights at stake.