A Fifa Club World Cup every two years? How money is coming before players' health and fan enjoyment

More tournaments mean more TV deals and more sponsor cash

Last updated:
Shamseer Mohammed, Staff Writer
2 MIN READ
Arsenal's English defender Ben White (C) reacts to picking up an injury during the English Premier League football match against Manchester United at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on August 17, 2025.
Arsenal's English defender Ben White (C) reacts to picking up an injury during the English Premier League football match against Manchester United at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on August 17, 2025.
AFP

Dubai: Fifa apparently wants to hold the Club World Cup every two years, starting in 2029. Is it possible? Yes. Is it crazy? Also, yes. The football calendar is already packed, and star players at the biggest teams are getting hurt because the games they play each season continue to rise.

Money before health

Does Fifa really care about players' welfare or is this all about money? More tournaments means more TV deals and more sponsor cash. Players already have way too many games. The Champions League has more matches now. The Nations League is still there. Then you have Euro qualifiers, World Cup qualifiers, league games, and cup games. When do players get to rest?

Players are getting hurt

Players earn good money, yes. But they're not machines. They get tired. They get injured. They need time with their families. Right now, players are at risk due to the amount of time they are spending on the pitch. Muscle injuries are everywhere. Players are exhausted. The football isn't as good because tired players can't play their best.

Where does it end?

First they made tournaments bigger. Now they want them more often. What's next? Fifa keeps adding more games because they make more money from each one. They talk about caring for players in their statements, but their actions don't back this up. Players are seemingly products to be used for greater returns. Even Uefa created their own Super League by expanding the Champions League format.

Fans suffer too

It's not just players who suffer. Fans can't keep up with all these games. Ticket prices go up. TV costs rise. Now they want to add even more tournaments that fans "must watch." Fans will end up watching it no matter what but it isn't putting their interests first.

Someone needs to say "No"

The calendar is full. Players are getting injured. Fans are tired of it all. Now someone needs to stand up to Fifa and say enough is enough. Players need rest. The game needs quality over quantity. But Fifa will probably ignore this and announce even more tournaments next week.

The beautiful game is being ruined by corporate greed. Players aren't robots. They're humans who deserve better. Many players have already spoken about it, but who will take action? Every year, even during what should be the break, there's a tournament for them to focus on. Somebody has to speak up and say this is not the right way to do it, but who will?

Shamseer Mohammed
Shamseer MohammedStaff Writer
From code to kick-off: Gulf News’ Mohammed Shamsheer spends his weekdays in DevOps and weekends watching football — a proud Chelsea supporter through and through.

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