FIFA International Match Calendar: Proposed Changes & General Discussion

So call it the "Arab State" Cup.

FIFA Caucasian Cup.

 

Same reason its not called the Asian States Cup or Indian State Premier League, I assume.

 

Live and let live brother. Cannot assume that you must be invited to all barbecues.

Old tournaments like the Arab Cup were a logical manifestation of post-colonialism: newly independent nations, fragmented by European powers, decided to organize amongst their own. You know, back when FIFA split 1 WC slot between African and Asian confeds.

The Arab Cup used to be organized by countries in the Arab sphere, and FIFA took over in 2021. They got money to spend now, so FIFA is glad to be their DJ.

Two South American countries are not Conmebol members, either. As they moved towards independence, they decided that a Caribbean barbecue was the best party for them.

 

But there's another Club World Cup in December!

 

Or keep on with postponing league matches. After some 25 matchdays they are 20 points and 7 games behind league leader.

Way too much football! Never thought I will say this!

 

More like way too many Afcons!

 

Holy shite, you're not kidding!. And 9 games in hand on the 2nd place team. What a farce!

 

Clubs not obliged to release players?

 

If it's in the FIFA calendar they are, although there may be some restrictions for some players who could be involved in the World Cup later that year..

 

lol at CAF!

The dates of the CAF TotalEnergies AFCON Morocco 2025 are:

• Opening Match: Sunday 21 December 2025
• Final Match: Sunday 18 January 2026

31 December and 18 January are Saturdays!

 

A few things regarding the one tournament per year thing.

1. Supposedly there is a technicality whereby although the afcon will be in 2025 and 2026 it will officially count for 2025 and not 2026. So there won't be a problem with clubs releasing players

2. The 2026 world cup is in the off season is it not ? A club doesn't have to release players over the summer does it ?

Good luck if clubs think they will stop players from going to the world cup in the off season.

I think this whole thing about clubs not releasing players is just wishful thinking.

 

2026 WC is on the IMC and therefore clubs must release players for it.

That's the whole point of the IMC.

 

They are going to have some really pissed off players if they try.

 

I think AFCON will be on the Calander with its new dates very soon.

 

Poor Jude Bellingham having to scrape by on $27 million a year while his employers treat him like a slave.

 

That's a separate argument. Getting more money doesn't mean work/life balance no longer matters or that you magically gain more physical strength and energy.

 

Freaking A man! To paraphrase a known philosopher:

I hope that rich buttercup snaps both of his ankles playing all those games. "It's coming home" my butt. England hasn't won one WC since the 1960s. Bring Bobby Charlton back from the dead, maybe they will win something then!

 

Sounds like a complete Muppet.

 

FIFPRO and the organizers of the European football competitions filed a complaint at the European Commission against FIFA.

NOS Football• today, 02:11 PM Players' union FIFPro files complaint against FIFA over overcrowded fixture calendar
The organisers of the European football competitions and the international players' union FIFPro have filed a complaint with the European Commission about the world football association FIFA. "The international competition calendar is now saturated and has become unsustainable for domestic competitions and there is a risk to the health of the players," the organizations write. The organisations say FIFA's behaviour violates EU competition law. "FIFA fulfils a dual role as a global regulator of football and as a competition organiser. This creates a conflict of interest."

 

CWC isn;t on the IMC, which might be problematic for this case.