The newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup has launched in the United States with 32 clubs from around the world taking part.
While the format promises more football and global exposure, it’s also ignited a wave of legal concerns that could reshape how the game is governed.
Below, we explore the three major legal flashpoints emerging from this year’s tournament.
1. Player Welfare and Scheduling Overload
Footballers are being asked to do more than ever – year-round competitions, international tournaments, and now a month-long Club World Cup deep into what should be their recovery period.
Key issues:
- Calendar congestion: The Club World Cup runs from 15 June to 13 July, leaving top players little to no break before domestic seasons resume.
- Legal pushback: FIFPRO and other unions have filed complaints in Brussels, challenging FIFA’s scheduling under EU law.
- Health risks: Experts recommend at least eight weeks of rest and prep time. Players at clubs like Manchester City won’t come close to that, especially if involved in Euro 2024, having had nearly 12 months of continuous play, raising serious injury concerns.
The result? Increased risk of injury and potential legal exposure for governing bodies.
2. Multi-Club Ownership and Conflict of Interest
Multi-club ownership is growing, and so are its complications.
FIFA rules ban clubs with shared ownership from competing in the same tournament. Yet enforcement remains inconsistent:
- León were barred due to shared ownership with Pachuca, but Pachuca were allowed in.
- Crystal Palace faced potential Europa League exclusion due to John Textor’s stake in Lyon.
- Nottingham Forest’s owner put his Olympiacos shares into a blind trust to comply with Champions League rules.
As these ownership models grow, legal frameworks will be tested more frequently.
3. Sponsorship Disputes and Commercial Tensions
FIFA’s long-standing sponsors, Adidas and Coca-Cola, are reportedly in conflict with the governing body over sponsorship rights. Their contracts (until 2030) reportedly guarantee status as official sponsors for all FIFA events.
But FIFA is reportedly seeking new sponsorship deals specifically for the Club World Cup, approaching Bank of America and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
This shift suggests a deeper focus on monetising new formats at the expense of traditional partners, raising questions about loyalty, transparency, and contract interpretation.
Conclusion: A Legal Tipping Point?
The 2025 Club World Cup isn’t just a sporting milestone, it’s a moment of legal reckoning for global football. With player welfare, ownership regulations, and commercial relationships all under strain, further legal challenges seem inevitable.
We could be entering an era where national legal systems – not just FIFA regulations – shape the future of the sport.
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