Fifa’s 64-team World Cup plan facing opposition from Uefa, Concacaf and Asia Sport Business Fifa’s plan to consider expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams is facing major pushback, with Uefa and other confederations believed to be firmly opposed to the proposal. The first edition of the tournament to feature 48 nations is yet to finish but Fifa president Gianni Infantino has revived the prospect of further expansion [...]
Fifa accused of bullying in attempt to kill off multi-billion class action claim Sport Business Fifa has been accused of using bullying tactics in a bid to kill off a class action lawsuit claiming billions in lost earnings from football’s governing body on behalf of current and former players. Justice For Players is pursuing a mega claim deriving from the European Court of Justice’s landmark Diarra Ruling, which declared Fifa’s [...]
Hated World Cup hydration breaks here to stay for even hotter 2030 and 2034 Sport Business Hydration breaks are expected to remain a feature of future World Cups despite attracting widespread criticism, City AM understands. The divisive three-minute pauses, taken midway through each half, have become one of the tournament’s hottest talking points. They have effectively turned football into a game of four quarters and head coaches have said they are [...]
Fifpro accused of leaving footballers ‘in the cold’ by doing deal with Fifa June 15, 2026 Global player union Fifpro has been accused of leaving thousands of footballers “in the cold” by accepting a deal with Fifa. Justice For Players, a class action claiming billions after Fifa’s transfer rules were deemed illegal, says it is “disappointed” that Fifpro agreed to ask its members to drop any legal action in exchange for [...]
Has Fifa quietly made mandatory release clauses the future of football transfers? June 12, 2026 It was easy to miss amid the hullabaloo surrounding the start of the 2026 World Cup, but earlier this week Fifa announced the biggest changes to football’s global transfer rules for 25 years. Fifa patted itself on the back for “a major step forward”, emphasising the new regulatory framework had been “developed through a collaborative [...]
Fifa suffers legal setback just weeks before 2026 World Cup kick-off May 8, 2026 Fifa has suffered a legal blow just weeks before the World Cup after the French footballers’ union UNFP achieved a landmark decision in the European courts. The UNFP has successfully advanced a complaint about the health and safety of players’ working conditions and a lack of collective bargaining as a result of decisions made by [...]
Club World Cup left Chelsea with less than two weeks’ pre-season September 29, 2025 Winners Chelsea were among the teams hardest hit by participating in the Club World Cup, exposing their players to greater risk of injury, according to a report by footballers’ union Fifpro. Reaching the final of the revamped competition in the US this summer left Chelsea with just 13 days of pre-season preparations before beginning the [...]
Justice for Players: Fifa facing mega lawsuit following Diarra ruling August 4, 2025 Fifa and European national football associations are facing a huge class-action lawsuit after the Diarra ruling deemed the world governing body’s transfer regulations to be unlawful. Dutch foundation Justice for Players (JfP) is bringing the action on behalf of as many as 100,000 professional footballers who have played for clubs in EU member states and [...]
Does NFL hold key to resolving football’s bitter welfare row? July 17, 2025 A bitter row between Fifa and players’ union Fifpro escalated at the recent Club World Cup in the US, but looking across the pond could provide the solution. Fifa president Gianni Infantino may be fond of his slogan “football unites the world” but the recent Club World Cup only appeared to drive a wedge even [...]
Chelsea’s Club World Cup winners’ prize? A £10m US tax bill July 16, 2025 Chelsea will be hit with a US tax bill of around £10m as a result of winning the Club World Cup on Sunday. The stunning 3-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in New York last weekend ensured Chelsea will receive £85m in prize money from competition organiser Fifa. Some £39.7m is to be paid immediately and [...]