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Major League Soccer president Don Garber said the latest antitrust lawsuit before the European Commission in Brussels could bring about a change in the crowded global calendar.
La Liga president Javier Tebas said on Tuesday that the 2025 Club World Cup, which still has no sponsorship or broadcast contracts, should be cancelled.
Garber said he was aware of the concerns about the revised version of the 32-team Club World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States.
He warned there could be a risk of over-saturation in football, but sees how the lawsuit could actually be a route to a more accepting global calendar and greater cooperation between governing bodies and leagues.
“I read about lawsuits a few days ago, but sometimes it takes a little bit of disruption to get everyone to sit at the same table and make the right decisions,” Garber told reporters at the summit, part of Leaders Week in London.
“I hope you make those right decisions, because you base those decisions on data and facts and research and strategy, but if not, sometimes you have to have to make those decisions.”
The new FIFA tournament, which includes 12 European clubs, will come after a season that saw an expanded Champions League and ahead of an expanded 48-team World Cup in 2026, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“We all have to be mindful of the calendar, and I understand Javier’s opinions,” Garber said.
Senior players have criticized the ever-increasing fixture schedule, and some have spoken of striking.
The European leagues, players’ union FIFPRO Europe and LaLiga filed a joint complaint with EU antitrust regulators this week against FIFA’s international match calendar.
“I think we should all work to see whether or not we can be a more involved part of the decision-making process, and I will include that in the Club World Cup,” Garber said. “We as a league are just as aware as anyone about the impact on our players and all the competitions.” “The different things they have to compete in.”
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, scheduled from June 15 to July 13, will be held around the same time as the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which will be held on the west coast of the United States and Canada.
The American League season is scheduled to resume after that, in addition to the European leagues.
On Tuesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino began a tour of the American cities that will host the Club World Cup.
Information from Reuters was used in this report.
Gerard Pique, the former Barcelona and Spain defender, said on Wednesday that it is the responsibility of all football organizations to find a solution.
The 37-year-old told The Guardian: “There are a lot of games, and now we see players saying: ‘Listen, we are getting injured. There are games every three days, and we don’t have time to rest in the summer.’” The summit, part of Leaders Week in London.
He added in response to a question about what he would do if he were in charge of world football: “I suggest reducing the number of matches.”
“Go to the leagues and say, ‘Listen, instead of 20 teams, why don’t you do 16-team leagues.
“At the same time, I will go to UEFA and say, why did you create this Nations League, which is the new competition that is difficult to follow, and I will go to FIFA and say, well, don’t do it.” The FIFA Club World Cup you have now created.
“I understand they want to generate more revenue, but for the sake of football, I think it could be much better to have fewer matches, more exclusive features (experiences), and it would also be easier to follow from a fan point of view, and for the players.” “There will be fewer matches.”
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