Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has raised serious concerns about FIFA's plans to expand the Club World Cup, warning it could lead to an unmanageable fixture pile-up. The competition, set to feature 32 teams from 2025, threatens to overload an already congested football calendar.
Speaking at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit, Masters highlighted the strain such expansion would place on players and domestic leagues. "We can't just keep adding more games without consequences," he stated bluntly.
Calendar Crunch Looms
The expanded tournament would take place every four years during the traditional summer break, potentially leaving players with little recovery time between seasons. This comes as UEFA also plans to revamp the Champions League format from 2024/25, adding more group stage matches.
Key concerns include:
- Increased risk of player injuries and burnout
- Potential clashes with domestic league schedules
- Reduced preparation time for new seasons
- Commercial conflicts with existing competitions
Player Welfare at Risk
Masters emphasised that player welfare must remain the priority, pointing to recent incidents of fatigue-related injuries among top footballers. "We're seeing more muscular injuries than ever before," he noted, "and that's directly related to the demands we're placing on players."
The Premier League chief called for greater coordination between football's governing bodies to find a sustainable solution. "There needs to be a holistic approach to the calendar," he argued. "Right now, everyone's just looking after their own interests."
With international tournaments, domestic leagues, and continental competitions all vying for space, the beautiful game faces an unprecedented scheduling crisis that could reshape football as we know it.
