Liverpool legend Carragher has slammed FIFA’s rule changes for the 2025 Club World Cup, claiming they completely disregard the wellbeing of players and are pushing them beyond their physical limits.
The introduction of the new Club World Cup in 2025 has significantly increased the number of global tournaments. The new format, alongside the 2026 World Cup, has led to the African Cup of Nations being shifted to December 2025-January 2026. This cluster of major events will primarily impact Premier League clubs with a high number of African players.
Previously, FIFA only mandated clubs to release players for one global tournament per year. However, FIFA is now proposing to change the rules to allow for two global tournaments within the same year. Carragher believes this completely disregards player welfare: “Top players are already playing too many games, exceeding their physical limits. This not only leads to a decline in the quality of play but also increases the risk of injuries.”
The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) is currently “battling” with FIFA to prevent this congested schedule. They announced plans to address the issue legally before the start of the European Championship.
The conflict between UEFA and FIFA continues to simmer. The Club World Cup is a potential threat to the influence of the Champions League, and UEFA has already expressed its disapproval of the tournament. This tension, along with the conflict between FIFPRO and FIFA, originates from Gianni Infantino’s creation of the new Club World Cup.
This article is from a user submission and does not represent the views of Soccer News Pick. If you repost it, please indicate the source: https://www.soccernewspick.com/premier-league/400.html
