Major League Soccer (MLS) President Don Garber recently shared his thoughts on an ongoing antitrust lawsuit being heard by the European Commission in Brussels, which he believes could bring some much-needed change to the packed global football schedule.
Earlier this week, LaLiga President Javier Tebas called for FIFA to cancel its 2025 Club World Cup, citing concerns over the tournament, which still lacks sponsorship and broadcast deals. Garber acknowledged the worries surrounding the expanded 32-team event, set to take place in the U.S.
While Garber sees the risk of overwhelming fans and players with too many competitions, he’s also hopeful that this lawsuit could lead to a more balanced global calendar. He emphasized the need for collaboration between governing bodies and leagues, saying, “Sometimes it takes a bit of disruption to get everyone to come together and make the right decisions.”
Speaking at The Summit, part of Leaders Week London, Garber expressed his desire for decisions to be made based on solid data, research, and strategy, but also recognized that sometimes outside pressure forces action.
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The new Club World Cup, which will feature 12 European clubs, is set to take place after a busy season with an expanded Champions League and ahead of the 48-team 2026 World Cup, hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Garber agreed with Tebas’s concerns, noting the importance of being mindful of the congested schedule.
Top players have increasingly spoken out about the growing number of matches, with some even mentioning the possibility of strike action. This week, European Leagues, players’ union FIFPRO Europe, and LaLiga filed a complaint with EU regulators about FIFA’s international match calendar.
Concerned about the decision and how it impacts the players
Garber highlighted the importance of including all stakeholders in the decision-making process, especially when it comes to the Club World Cup. “As a league, we’re as concerned as everyone else about the impact on players and the many competitions they have to participate in,” he said.
The 2025 Club World Cup will run from June 15 to July 13, coinciding with the Concacaf Gold Cup in the U.S. and Canada, followed shortly by the start of the MLS season and the European leagues.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has already begun visiting U.S. cities that will host the Club World Cup. Meanwhile, Gerard Piqué, former Barcelona and Spain defender, also voiced his concerns during The Summit. He stressed that it’s up to football organizations to find a solution.
“There are just too many games,” Piqué said. “Players are getting injured, and with matches every three days, they don’t get time to rest, even in the summer.” He suggested reducing the number of games by shrinking leagues and cutting out new competitions like the Nations League and the expanded FIFA Club World Cup.
“I understand the need for more revenue,” Piqué added, “but for the good of football, having fewer, higher-quality matches would be better for fans and players alike.”
