The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is a ticking time bomb for player health

FIFA’s been called a lot of things over the years, but one criticism that seems to never fade is that they put money above all else. And honestly, the latest changes to the 2025 Club World Cup seem to be another example of that. Sure, soccer is big business. But what happens when the financial success starts crushing the very people who bring the game to life? Yeah, I'm talking about the players—the ones making it all happen. They're about to feel the squeeze like never before.

Now, I get it—you love seeing the big games, epic finals, and more teams chasing that trophy. Who doesn’t? But here’s the thing: behind all the hype, these athletes are being pushed toward a dangerous cliff of injuries, physical stress, and, ultimately, shorter careers. And it’s not just me saying this. FIFPRO, the World Leagues Forum, and even major leagues like La Liga are waving the red flag.

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With the expansion of the Club World Cup in 2025, FIFA’s cramming the schedule so tight that if it were a road, players would have to perform stunts just to avoid crashing. We're talking about a tournament that’s gonna demand more from players who are already hanging by a thread. And FIFA’s excuse? More teams, more money, more excitement. But where’s the rest? Who foots the bill when the stars we love end up on the injured list instead of the field?

FIFPRO, representing the players, and the World Leagues Forum, representing the leagues, have straight-up said this expansion is a bad idea. They're worried. More games mean more chances to get hurt. And let's be real, who wins when a player like Messi or Haaland gets injured?

If you think I’m just being dramatic, think again. La Liga in Spain is already talking about suing FIFA over this expansion. Yup, you heard that right! The league that’s seen it all is ready to take legal action because, in their eyes, this Club World Cup is a disaster waiting to happen. And honestly, they've got a point. When FIFA tries to cram more games into an already jam-packed schedule, they're basically asking for players to get hurt. Let’s face it, these are human beings we’re talking about—not machines.

What makes this even more frustrating is the addition of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, yet another competition throwing fuel on a fire that’s already out of control. For FIFA, the more games, the better. And this just shows where their focus really is—on the money. After all, more games mean more broadcast rights, more sponsorships, more of everything.

Well, the organizations representing the players are speaking out louder and louder. In May 2024, FIFPRO and the World Leagues Forum sent FIFA a letter asking them to postpone the tournament or at least give players more time to recover. And if FIFA doesn’t fix this mess, those organizations have already warned: clubs are ready to take the fight to the courts. In June 2024, player associations from England and France filed a legal action in the Commercial Court in Brussels.

So, who really wins in all this? FIFA, for sure—because the money’s still rolling in. TV networks? Absolutely. The more games, the better for them. But the players? They're being thrown into the fire with little choice. Let’s be honest, how many athletes can afford to say no to playing in a tournament like the Club World Cup? The pressure to get out there, represent the team, the league, and the sponsors, is immense. And FIFA knows it.

If soccer keeps heading down this path, we’re gonna see more players retiring early or dealing with preventable physical problems. The bill’s coming due, and it’s the players who are gonna pay it. So, is it worth it? Does an expanded tournament, filled with more teams and more games, really make up for the risk of wrecking athletes’ careers? To me, it’s clear—FIFA’s playing with fire.