Club World Cup: Why FIFA is facing pushback over US-staged tournament
FIFA is facing renewed pushback over its expanded Club World Cup just over a year before the tournament is due to be staged in the United States.
World players' union FIFPRO and the World Leagues Association want the event to be rescheduled and the international match calendar reformed over concerns about players' welfare and their «fundamental rights.»
It comes after a report by the union last year said 43% of World Cup players surveyed had experienced «extreme or increased mental fatigue.»
In a letter obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday, soccer's world governing body FIFA has been accused of pushing players «beyond their limits, with significant injury risks» by expanding its competitions.
The new version of the Club World Cup is slated for June 15 to July 13 next year.
WHAT'S NEW?
A 32-team World Cup for clubs could be FIFA's answer to the dominance of the Champions League and English Premier League as one of the most popular and lucrative sports competitions in the world.
The new tournament will be staged every four years during most top leagues' offseason and in-between the World Cup and European Championship.
The format will emulate the men's and women's World Cups, with eight groups of four. Two teams advance from each group, leading to a knockout stage from the round of 16 through to the final.
PUSHBACK
A new expanded competition has sparked concerns over the demands on players in an increasingly congested match calendar, which will include an expanded 48-team World Cup from 2026.
Plans
