Concerns are mounting that FIFA may introduce 18-team leagues globally, including the Premier League, as a response to the Club World Cup’s expansion.
FIFA, under President Gianni Infantino, has unveiled plans for a 32-team Club World Cup set to take place in the US next summer, featuring elite clubs such as Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Chelsea.
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Yet, there’s widespread apprehension among Europe’s premier leagues about the potential strain on players—a sentiment echoed by Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta.
Reports from The Sun suggest that to address these worries, FIFA might consider downsizing leagues to 18 teams, leading to a reduction in the number of matches per club from 38 to 34.
One source said: ‘We all think that this is the ultimate aim from FIFA, to find a way of making us drop to 18.
‘What you can put your money on is the working group saying there is too much domestic football, that we should all go down from 20 clubs to 18 and that the least impact on players comes from international matches.
‘We wouldn’t be shocked if they have already written their conclusions.’
The situation has escalated following threats of legal action against FIFA by player unions and global leagues, should the organization fail to relocate the enlarged 2025 Club World Cup.
Leaders from the Premier League and LaLiga have also issued warnings, threatening to withdraw their clubs from participation if the overhauled tournament isn’t postponed.
Adding to the urgency, Premier League’s chief executive, Richard Masters, last month announced that football has reached a critical juncture, with the current demands leading to an unprecedented number of games for players.
‘It stands to reason if you overload the calendar and the players, at some point, something has to give,’ said Masters.
‘It is getting to a tipping point. The feedback we have from players is that there is too much football being played and there is constant expansion.’
The 2025 Club World Cup, scheduled from June 15 to July 13, poses a challenge for some clubs, potentially disrupting their off-season recovery and preparations for the upcoming Premier League season.
Should FIFA implement the proposed rule, leagues such as the Bundesliga, Portuguese league, and Belgian league will not be impacted, since they already feature 18 or fewer teams in their competitions.
