FIFA criticised for plans that ‘further crowd an already overloaded calendar’

The new Club World Cup was first announced by Infantino on the eve of the World Cup final.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino first unveiled plans for a 32-team Club World Cup in December (Aaron Chown/PA)

FIFA has been accused of failing to consult with professional leagues over its plans for the 2026 World Cup and a new 32-team Club World Cup.

The World Leagues Forum, which includes the Premier League among its members, is considering “appropriate next steps” to tackle what it sees as the damaging impact of FIFA’s proposals on their competitions and on player welfare.