FIFA’s Club World Cup Praise Called “Fiction” by Global Players’ Union
Players’ union slams FIFA for ignoring welfare concerns amid tournament expansion
- FIFA has chosen to continue increasing its revenue at the expense of players’ bodies and health
- Tensions between the two bodies have been escalating since last year
- FIFA has rejected these claims
The president of global players’ union FIFPRO has strongly criticised FIFA’s handling of the expanded Club World Cup, calling the organisation’s portrayal of the tournament “nothing more than a fiction.”
In a sharply worded statement, FIFPRO president Sergio Marchi condemned FIFA for prioritising commercial interests over player welfare and appeared to liken FIFA President Gianni Infantino to the Roman emperor Nero, suggesting a detachment from the challenges faced by the majority of players.
“FIFA has chosen to continue increasing its revenue at the expense of players’ bodies and health,” Marchi said.
The criticism follows revelations by BBC Sport that FIFPRO was excluded from a key meeting on player welfare held by Infantino on the eve of the Club World Cup final. Representatives from other unions were present, intensifying frustration over FIFPRO’s exclusion from critical discussions.
Tensions between the two bodies have been escalating since last year, when FIFPRO filed a legal complaint against FIFA. The union accused FIFA of abusing its position under European competition law by expanding the Club World Cup and further burdening an already congested fixture calendar.
FIFA has rejected these claims, and over the weekend, Infantino described the tournament as “the most successful club competition in the world.”
Marchi, however, countered that the tournament’s glamour masks deeper issues.
“While the Club World Cup generated enthusiasm and brought together some of the game’s top stars, it also reflects a dangerous disconnect from the reality most footballers face globally,” he stated. “What was presented as a global celebration of football was, in truth, a carefully constructed narrative, lacking genuine dialogue, sensitivity, and respect for those who sustain the sport every day.”
The rift highlights growing concerns within the football community about the impact of an overloaded calendar on players’ health, with FIFPRO continuing to push for reforms to protect athletes from burnout and long-term injury.
