Beyond the headlines of the 64-team World Cup debate lies a deeper tension that is shaping the future of football: the escalating power struggle between club and country. The push for, and rejection of, an expanded World Cup is intrinsically linked to the crowded global calendar and the competing interests of club leagues and international tournaments.
The article notes that FIFA is also facing calls to expand the Club World Cup, with top clubs eyeing the massive prize money. This highlights the relentless demand from the club side for more games, more tournaments, and more revenue. The European Club Association is a powerful lobbying force that jealously guards the football calendar and the availability of its star players.
A 128-match men’s World Cup, as proposed, would have been a direct challenge to the club game. It would require a longer tournament window, cut deeper into the club season, and increase the risk of injury to players who are multi-million dollar assets for their clubs.
The opposition to the 64-team plan from figures like UEFA’s Aleksander Ceferin cannot be disconnected from this context. UEFA’s own Champions League is the pinnacle of club football, and a bloated World Cup could be seen as a competitive threat. The decision to reject the expansion can be seen as a victory for those who want to maintain the current, delicate balance between club and international football.
Therefore, the debate is about more than just numbers. It is a proxy war in the ongoing battle for control of football’s calendar, finances, and soul. The rejection of the 64-team proposal is a sign that, for now, the international game cannot expand without limit at the expense of the ever-powerful club game.