England’s Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has warned FIFA that players may strike in their bid to reduce the number of matches they are required to play.
The PFA is calling for changes to the congested football calendar, particularly with the proposed expanded 32-team Club World Cup scheduled for next summer.
At an event in London hosted by the PFA and FIFPRO, the international players’ union, it was highlighted that players are at “breaking point” due to their workloads. PFA chief executive Maheta Molango recounted a conversation with players from an unnamed club, where some expressed their willingness to strike, saying, “I’m not having it, we may as well strike.”
Molango emphasized that the situation has reached a critical point where all actions, including strikes, must be considered. Alexander Bielefeld, head of policy for FIFPRO, described the annual player workload review results as “staggering” and warned that the situation would only worsen next season with the new UEFA Champions League format and the expanded Club World Cup.
Bielefeld noted that there is potential to distribute the workload more evenly among players and young talent but acknowledged the immense pressure on players and coaches to play, even against medical advice. The PFA and FIFPRO’s concerns have been echoed in a letter to FIFA president Gianni Infantino from the World Leagues’ Association and FIFPRO, stating that the global football schedule is “beyond saturation.”
FIFA has responded by assuring that player welfare will be prioritized through “harmonious” scheduling. However, the football calendar is set to expand further next season, with the Champions League, Europa League, and UEFA Conference League all increasing to 36 teams, adding more matches to the already packed schedule.
“The unions feel more compelled than ever that something has to be done about player workload — it has to be regulated,” Bielefeld stated, reflecting the growing urgency for action to protect players’ well-being.
