Javier Tebas Critiques FIFA Club World Cup
In a recent interview, Javier Tebas, the president of LaLiga, expressed his strong disapproval of the forthcoming FIFA Club World Cup, labeling the tournament as “entirely absurd. “ Scheduled to be held from June 14 to July 13 in the United States, this iteration of the tournament marks a significant change as it will feature 32 teams competing.
Concerns Over Domestic League Disruptions
Tebas voiced his concerns during a discussion on Cadena Cope radio, emphasizing that the implications of such a tournament extend beyond players’ physical demands. He argued that the altered structure of the Club World Cup could disrupt the entire framework of domestic leagues, particularly within Europe.
Spanish clubs Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid are set to represent Spain in this global competition. However, if either team progresses to the later stages, this would coincide with critical dates in the LaLiga calendar, specifically the quarterfinals on July 4-5. Tebas warned that such clashes could have detrimental effects on the Spanish league, which kicks off on August 16-17.
Tebas articulated, “We are already facing debates regarding the start dates for LaLiga for Real Madrid and Atlético. This upheaval jeopardizes our standard football timeline and has potential repercussions for us in the long term.”
Scheduling Challenges and FIFA’s Engagement
The LaLiga president stated that the final decision regarding how to accommodate the participation of these teams will not be made solely by him, but in collaboration with other stakeholders as the tournament approaches. He raised concerns over the constant need to adjust LaLiga’s schedule for events like the Club World Cup, which he believes the league should not have to accommodate.
Moreover, Tebas criticized FIFA for not engaging with national leagues regarding scheduling decisions. He pointed out that they had previously not consulted during the controversial move of the 2022 World Cup to winter nor during the expansion of the men’s World Cup to 48 teams starting in 2026. He encapsulated his frustration by stating that the decisions being made are detrimental to the integrity of Spanish football, especially when key teams like Real Madrid and Atlético could miss the LaLiga opener due to their involvement in the Club World Cup.
