Gianni Infantino: FIFA Prioritising Calendar Management and Player Welfare

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has emphasised that the health and welfare of players continue to be a paramount concern for the governing body, particularly amidst rising worries about tournament expansions in an increasingly packed calendar.

This month, players’ union FIFPRO, along with Spain’s LaLiga and a coalition of European leagues, lodged a joint complaint with the European Union antitrust authorities, alleging that FIFA is engaging in “calendar abuse”.

Critics contend that FIFA’s redesigned 32-team Club World Cup, alongside other enlarged tournaments, will lead to an uptick in the number of matches each season, consequently affording players minimal downtime between seasons.

In an interview with CNN, Infantino stated that the influence of the Club World Cup on player welfare would be minimal.

“This is a competition that occurs once every four years. The victor plays seven matches, which equates to roughly one and a half additional games per year; thus, its overall impact is not significant,” he remarked.

“The reality in global football is that there are numerous matches involving a select few teams and players. Those who advance to the latter stages of various competitions, which is a rarity in itself … Essentially, everything balances out quite nicely.

“Nonetheless, we are precise in our examination of the calendar and focused on player health. Our goal is to do everything possible to ensure that players are in the optimal condition to perform at their best …

“Many players express to me that they prefer to play rather than just train, don’t they?”

Furthermore, Infantino noted that the FIFA taskforce, spearheaded by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, is currently reviewing how the Club World Cup may affect player welfare.