Sports Column
FIFA, think again! Club World Cup expansion is unhealthy
Examining the possible implications of the proposed plan
Player health, fixture decongestion, and competitive balance must be prioritized by FIFA to win the trust of its community.
FIFA boss Gianni Infantino revealed his plan of expanding the current seven-team Club World Cup into 32 clubs. Infantino might have insisted his view but it can’t deny the fact that the move is unattractive and uncharismatic. Nonetheless, football governing’s body deserves the reservations and backlashes.
Unlike the World Cup, the Club World Cup cannot produce the same excitement, not unless your club is playing. FIFA can market the tournament in the United States of America (USA) or Asia that rarely see top clubs compete in-person. However, don’t expect a Real Madrid fan to watch the match between Al Hilal and Bayern Munich, even online. For Madritistas, the Bavarian giants are opponents they must beat to win the UEFA Champions League (UCL).
“…don’t expect a Real Madrid fan to watch the match between Al Hilal and Bayern Munich, even online.”
Hinting a major prize fund won’t help at all. It might entice the largest of European sides but the Club World Cup’s marketing will still fail to attract broad audience. Simply, clubs only represent themselves. Their pulling power isn’t as strong as the national teams of every country participating in the World Cup, which allows fans to see soccer cultures collide.
Inevitably, additional slots will also be given to the already strong European continent. If this possibility happens, the Club World Cup would look like UCL’s watered down version or completely, its resemblance. UEFA fans might feel they’re just watching replays because they’re experiencing such competition every season.
Moreover, just imagine how dominant Europe-based squads are. They topped the intercontinental club competition 16 times in 19 editions, winning the last 10 in succession. Then, you’re planning to add more of the same specie found above the food chain in the Club World Cup ecosystem? We aren’t underestimating teams outside Europe but historically and economically, that’s the case yet to be broken.
We can’t also forget how capable South American teams are, so the gap between traditional powerhouses and usual underdogs will further widen in addition to the European clubs.
In a statement last December 2022, The World Leagues Forum (WLF) deemed FIFA’s decisions, including the Club World Cup expansion, as “made unilaterally without consulting”. Certainly, WLF had a point. The federation must consider the leagues, member clubs, the players, and fans before making any moves.
WLF claimed that proposed Club World Cup revamps had “damaging consequences for football economy and player welfare”. Well, that should be expected due to the involvement of more teams, resulting to longer competition. The more matches, the greater the risk of potential injuries as clubs are already playing in longstanding domestic leagues. Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher is right that footballers shouldn’t be treated cattles and they need to rest after a long season.
Player health, fixture decongestion, and competitive balance must be prioritized by FIFA to win the trust of its community. Without players, clubs are impossible to form. Footballers are also humans who need a break from their jobs. Not to mention, it isn’t fun to watch a one-sided game.
The federation might earn the expected return on investment (ROI) but have a price to pay, particularly more injuries, boring competitions, and ugly game. There is more to football than earning huge sums of money as it is a beautiful game — simple to watch yet full of emotions. Think again, FIFA! We beg for your understanding of the sport you govern.
