LaLiga is unhappy about FIFA’s proposed changes for the 2026 World Cup structure which will see the competition have 104 games
LaLiga has expressed its opposition to FIFA’s changes to the structure of the 2026 World Cup, which will see four-team groups replace the previously planned 16 groups of three teams.
This decision was made after FIFA’s annual congress, with plans to maintain the four-team system.
LaLiga unhappy about the World Cup changes
However, LaLiga is unhappy about this change, as it means an expansion of the competition from 64 to 104 games.
LaLiga has raised concerns about a newly proposed global club competition that will be added to the football schedule alongside a Club World Cup.
While the latter is scheduled to occur every four years from 2025, an additional tournament with an as-yet-unspecified name is set to take place annually alongside it. However, LaLiga has objected to these changes and their potential impact on the current football calendar.
“Following the announcements made today at the 73rd FIFA Congress in Kigali, Rwanda, LaLiga states that FIFA continues its malpractice of making unilateral decisions on the world football calendar,” read a statement.
“[FIFA is] 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.
“Leagues were not consulted about any of the changes presented, especially about the new annual club competition, of which we were completely unaware and which seriously affects our competitions.
“These decisions do not take into account the competitive, sporting and economic impact on national leagues, clubs and players by further cramming an already overloaded schedule.
“LaLiga and other leagues represented in the World Leagues Forum will analyze FIFA’s decisions and decide on the most appropriate next steps.”
