Global players’ union says Fifa continues to host competitions in conditions “extreme and inappropriate for any human being”
Fifpro has accused Fifa of sidelining players and ignoring their basic rights, warning that football’s global leadership is pushing ahead with expansion plans at the expense of athlete welfare.
The international players’ union released a sharply worded statement on Friday, following a meeting of 58 affiliated unions in Amsterdam.
In the statement, Fifpro criticised what it called Fifa’s “autocratic system of governance” and highlighted the lack of meaningful consultation with players’ groups around the men’s calendar, including the expanded Club World Cup played this summer.
The Club World Cup was a flashpoint in the conflict between the two bodies. Fifa claimed it had agreed on the provision of rest periods with players’ representatives, but Fifpro refuted that, saying it was excluded from the discussions led by Fifa president Gianni Infantino in New York earlier this month.
“Fifa continues to systematically ignore and silence the real issues players face in different parts of the world,” Fifpro said.
“The overloaded match calendar, the lack of adequate physical and mental recovery periods, extreme playing conditions, the absence of meaningful dialogue, and the ongoing disregard for players’ social rights have regrettably become pillars of Fifa’s business model.”
Fifpro and a coalition of European domestic leagues filed a formal complaint with the European Union in June 2024, alleging that Fifa had violated competition law by unilaterally expanding the international calendar. That case is still pending.
The players’ union also pointed to what it described as unsafe conditions during the Club World Cup, calling them “extreme and inappropriate for any human being”.
Infantino heavily promoted the tournament as a major milestone in Fifa’s global expansion strategy.
Fifpro’s statement also included a broader call for reform.
“Football needs responsible leadership, not emperors,” it read. “It needs fewer autocratic monologues and more genuine, inclusive, and transparent dialogue.”
Fifpro insists it will continue to press for better labour protections and player welfare standards across the sport. It is also pushing for a greater role in shaping competition calendars, particularly with the 48-team World Cup scheduled for 2026 in North America.
The organisation said its goal is not to block progress, but to ensure it does not come at the cost of those who play the game.
