Published on Jul 02, 2025
As the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup unfolds in the United States, La Liga president Javier Tebas has launched a scathing attack on the competition, warning that he will actively campaign for the tournament to be scrapped in future editions. His remarks have reignited debate over the Club World Cup’s long-term viability amid concerns over player overload, scheduling conflicts, and financial imbalance.
“My objective is that there will be no more Club World Cups. I’m very clear about that. There is no room for it. There is no need for another competition that moves money towards the same clubs and players.”
Tebas argued that the tournament offers no added value to the football ecosystem and serves primarily to concentrate wealth and exposure among a select group of elite clubs. He also claimed that the global broadcasting market is saturated, and introducing new competitions only strains the football calendar without real benefit.
Tebas didn’t hold back on his opinion of the ongoing competition, describing some of its matches—such as those involving Chelsea and Manchester City as “pre-season friendlies in disguise.”
He questioned the intensity and purpose of the current tournament, stating:
“These are not competitive matches in the true sense. They're exhibitions—marketed for commercial reach, not sporting merit.”
His comments land during a tournament that features high-profile clubs like Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Palmeiras, with fans attending in large numbers across U.S. venues. However, Tebas insists that the calendar strain and diluted domestic attention outweigh any short-term commercial success.
Tebas emphasized that the Club World Cup interferes with domestic league operations, particularly in Europe. La Liga, he says, has no intention of adjusting its season start dates or allowing extended breaks for returning clubs.
“We cannot and will not adapt our domestic calendar to accommodate a tournament that serves FIFA’s commercial objectives,” he added. “Teams must return and compete like everyone else.”
His remarks come amid debate in Spain over whether Real Madrid, currently involved in the Club World Cup, should be given additional recovery time before resuming their La Liga schedule.
Tebas’s criticism has been echoed by other football executives, including MLS commissioner Don Garber, who also raised concerns about fixture congestion and player fatigue. Garber described Tebas’s statements as “fair” and said leagues worldwide must work together to rebalance the global football calendar.
Legal and institutional resistance is also growing. FIFPRO, La Liga, and the European Leagues Forum have all lodged formal complaints against FIFA, alleging that the expanded Club World Cup violates competition law and undermines national football ecosystems.
While FIFA’s inaugural expanded Club World Cup is currently underway and set to conclude in mid-July, its future editions remain uncertain. Tebas confirmed La Liga will push back against further participation and may even lobby for structural changes—or outright cancellation in upcoming FIFA discussions.
With international tensions rising and legal avenues being explored, the 2025 edition could be the beginning of a much larger power struggle between global football bodies and domestic leagues.
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