Match Calendar 2025-2030: "FIFA neglects the damage these decisions inflict on the leagues" (LaLiga)

"FIFA continues its malpractice of making unilateral decisions on the world football calendar, showing complete disregard for the importance of national championships, and the football community in general. FIFA completely neglects the economic damage these decisions inflict on leagues around the world," said LaLiga on 14/03/2023.

This statement comes after the announcement of the men's international match calendar for the 2025-2030 period on 14/03/2023, following a FIFA Council meeting held in Kigali (Rwanda) on the same day. The main changes include:
• a change in format for the 2026 World Cup, from 16 three-team groups to 12 four-team groups;
• a 32-team Club World Cup to be played every four years from June 2025;
• a yearly FIFA competition to be held from 2024, which will feature the champions of the premier club competitions of all confederations, the winner of the UEFA Champions League and the winner of intercontinental play-offs between the other confederations.

"Leagues were not consulted about any of the changes presented today, especially about the new annual club…