Gianni Infantino’s recent declaration that Inter Miami would not only be participating in the 32-team competition but also be regarded as the host club added to the already contentious FIFA Club World Cup hasn’t helped.
Despite Lionel Messi and company’s incredible MLS season points record, there is an unavoidable sense that this unilateral decision was made only for Messi to participate in order to attract sponsorship and interest.
Many players, however, have not been pleased with the tournament’s date because it now implies that any vacation time they had anticipated will be, at most, limited.
Because the final is held just three weeks before the 2025–26 season begins, athletes may even be able to participate in the event before having to immediately return to pre-season training.
In the past, Rodri of Man City and others had made hints that they would go on strike due to the authorities’ disregard for player welfare when approving these competitions.
Clubs, however, cannot claim they were not informed of FIFA’s intentions because they have been aware of the enlarged Club World Cup since late 2022.
Despite this, according to The Times (subscription required), some players will boycott the event because they feel they are being asked to play too many games.
FIFA’s need for the corporate pound, dollar, or euro appears to have trumped their desire to care for the elite players that make their organization what it is.
If players carry out such a threat, it is conceivable that the game’s governing body may implement sanctions, much like UEFA did when Harry Kane requested to wear a rainbow captain’s armband for England.
However, if players decide to maintain their ground on this specific issue, strike or no strike, it will probably alter the landscape of contemporary sport.
