'Eliminate it!' - Tebas vows to destroy Club World Cup

 'Eliminate it!' - Tebas vows to destroy Club World Cup

La Liga president Javier Tebas has launched a fierce attack on FIFA’s newly expanded Club World Cup, declaring his goal is to eliminate the tournament entirely before the next scheduled edition in 2029. Speaking at a football industry event, Tebas made it clear that he sees the new format   featuring 32 club teams from across the globe  as a serious danger to the long-term sustainability of the sport.

He didn't mince words, stating bluntly: "My goal is to ensure there are no more Club World Cups. That’s very clear to me." Tebas argued that the football calendar is already overstuffed and that adding another major tournament just puts unnecessary strain on players and clubs, particularly those outside the top financial tier.

According to Tebas, there are no available dates to host such a massive competition and the economic impact would damage smaller clubs and leagues. He also criticized how the event shifts large sums of money toward elite clubs and players, disrupting the football ecosystem.

He further added that the original version of the Club World Cup  which featured only six to seven teams and lasted a weekend  was manageable. In contrast, the new month-long version would take too much of a toll on players’ physical health and the financial balance of global football.

Tebas concluded by saying the best revision FIFA can make is to cancel the revamped Club World Cup altogether.

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FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup continues to attract criticism from top figures in football, with La Liga chief Javier Tebas leading the charge against the 32-team format. The tournament, now scheduled to take place every four years, is being slammed for its potential impact on player health, financial inequality, and the already-overloaded football calendar.

Tebas isn’t alone in his concerns. Critics argue that the expanded tournament benefits only the top-tier clubs while putting additional pressure on players who are already stretched thin by busy domestic and international schedules. Holding the tournament in the middle of summer  under harsh playing conditions in the USA  has added to the controversy. Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique, for example, publicly criticized the extreme noon and afternoon kick-off times after his side’s 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid.

The shift from a short, exclusive tournament to a full-blown World Cup-style event has raised questions about FIFA’s priorities. While FIFA sees this as a way to globalize club football further and generate revenue, detractors like Tebas argue that it risks undermining the very structure of the sport. He fears the tournament could unbalance the competitive and financial dynamics between clubs from different regions and leagues.

Tebas urged that the Club World Cup should return to its old format or be scrapped entirely. He believes football’s long-term survival depends on maintaining balance and sustainability  not adding more competitions.

The controversy adds to the growing debate about how many games players can realistically handle and whether global governing bodies are prioritizing commercial interests over the welfare of players and the competitive integrity of the sport. As it stands, the 2025 edition of the Club World Cup in the United States is moving forward  but the battle lines are clearly being drawn.