Legal action?

Fierce opposition to Club World Cup and XXL calendar

Two influential soccer organizations are threatening FIFA with legal action over the expanded calendar, including the Club World Cup. 

The players' union FIFPRO and the World Leagues Association WLA, an association of 46 international leagues, accuse the world governing body of making unilateral decisions. These would benefit its own competitions and commercial interests. This is the result of a letter to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

New format for the Club World Cup
The letter calls on FIFA to postpone the Club World Cup planned for June 2025 with 32 teams - including Red Bull Salzburg. In addition, a new debate must be held on the calendar up to 2030, which regulates the secondments for national teams. If FIFA refuses to do so, its own interests must be proactively protected, the letter states. This would include legal action against FIFA.

From 2025, the Club World Cup will be held with 32 teams instead of the current seven. The new tournament, planned to take place every four years, will replace the previous mini-World Cup.