The Union Nationale des Footballeurs Professionnels (UNFP)—France’s professional footballers’ union—has launched a scathing attack on FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup 2025, calling it a “massacre” for players and a blatant disregard for their physical and mental well-being. The criticism comes amid growing global concerns over player burnout, congested calendars, and the long-term sustainability of elite football.
📌 Key Highlights
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | FIFA Club World Cup 2025 |
| Format | 32 teams, 1-month duration, every 4 years |
| UNFP’s Statement | “Urgent to stop this massacre” |
| Main Concern | Player fatigue, lack of rest, injury risk |
| Target of Criticism | FIFA President Gianni Infantino |
| Supporting Bodies | FIFPRO, FIFPRO Europe |
| Legal Action | Complaint filed with European Commission (2024) |
⚠️ UNFP’s Core Arguments
The UNFP’s statement, released on June 29, 2025, accuses FIFA of prioritizing commercial interests over player welfare. The union argues that the Club World Cup:
- Ignores collective bargaining agreements that mandate a minimum three-week rest period between seasons.
- Overloads players with matches after an already exhausting club and international season.
- Jeopardizes national team performance, especially with World Cup qualifiers looming in September.
- Disrespects domestic football, as clubs are forced to adjust pre-season schedules.
📊 Player Workload Pressure Points
| Player Name | Club | Matches Played (2024–25) | Days of Rest | International Duty | Club World Cup Participation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ousmane Dembélé | PSG | 61 | 9 | Yes (France) | Yes |
| Désiré Doué | PSG | 58 | 7 | Yes (France) | Yes |
| Federico Valverde | Real Madrid | 67 | 10 | Yes (Uruguay) | Yes |
| Enzo Fernández | Chelsea | 70 (projected) | 8 | Yes (Argentina) | Yes |
| Pedri | Barcelona/Spain | 66 | 11 | Yes (Spain) | No |
Source: FIFPRO Player Workload Monitoring, June 2025
🧠 UNFP’s Statement: Key Quotes
“The incongruity of the situation is not lost on anyone, except, of course, Gianni Infantino and his flatterers.”
“His Club World Cup proves, to the point of absurdity, that it is urgent to stop this massacre game.”
“He flouts the physical and mental health of players for a few more dollars.”
The union also warned that the French national team’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers could be compromised, citing PSG players’ lack of rest and delayed pre-season training.
🏟️ Tournament Timing & Calendar Clash
| Event | Date Range | Overlap with Club World Cup |
|---|---|---|
| UEFA Champions League Final | May 31, 2025 | Yes |
| FIFA Club World Cup | June 15 – July 13, 2025 | — |
| Ligue 1 Preseason | Starts July 15–20 | Yes |
| 2026 WC Qualifiers (UEFA) | September 2025 | Impacted by delayed prep |
🌍 Global Backlash: Not Just France
The UNFP’s criticism echoes sentiments from other football stakeholders:
- Jurgen Klopp, former Liverpool manager and now Red Bull’s global football head, called the Club World Cup “the worst idea ever implemented in football”.
- FIFPRO, the global players’ union, has repeatedly warned of “dangerous levels of workload” and “mental health risks”.
- LaLiga and European Leagues filed a formal complaint with the European Commission in 2024, alleging FIFA’s unilateral calendar decisions violate EU competition law.
📉 Impact on Domestic Football
| Club | Issue Faced Due to Club World Cup |
|---|---|
| PSG | No rest for key players; delayed preseason |
| Marseille | Training disrupted; fixture congestion |
| Lyon | Player fatigue; reduced squad depth |
| Real Madrid | Overlapping commitments; injury risk |
| Chelsea | 70-match season for key players |
🧮 Player Burnout: A Growing Crisis
According to FIFPRO’s Player Workload Monitoring Tool:
- Only 13% of top-tier players received the recommended 28-day off-season break in 2024–25.
- Back-to-back matches accounted for over 80% of appearances for players like Pedri and Lamine Yamal.
- Injury rates have increased by 17% year-over-year among players with 60+ matches.
🗣️ What the UNFP Wants
- Immediate review of the international match calendar.
- Mandatory rest periods between seasons.
- Player-first scheduling for global tournaments.
- Transparent dialogue between FIFA and player unions.
