WSL warns of the ‘catastrophic’ impact of the planned Club World Cup schedule

The Women’s Super League sounded the alarm over the timing of the proposed FIFA Women’s Club World Cup, warning of a potential «catastrophic» effect on English clubs and players’ workloads.

Officials from England’s top flight have written to FIFA to express deep concern over its plan to host the first global women’s tournament from January 5 to 30, 2028, possibly in Qatar, in the middle of England’s domestic fixtures.

The event could force the postponement of matches across five WSL matchweeks and create a scheduling backlog. Other European leagues, including the top leagues in France and Spain, run on similar schedules.

A spokesperson said in a media briefing on Wednesday that the WSL supports the Club World Cup concept and efforts to grow the game globally, but wants this to happen in the summer.

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«This is a planning issue rather than a strategic one. The timing is what really concerns us,» the spokesperson said. «At best it will cause us real planning problems; at worst it will be catastrophic for the game in this country, our commercial program and, most importantly, the welfare of our players.»

European teams can secure a maximum of six of the 16 qualifying spots for the Club World Cup. Potential participants include Arsenal, the current holders of the Women’s Champions League, and Chelsea, the six-time reigning WSL champions.

The WSL spokesperson said the group has not been adequately consulted by FIFA and has the option to exclude English clubs from participating.

The club tournament would be held between two major international summer events: the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

“There are no gaps,” the WSL spokesperson said. “If the tournament takes place in a different time zone and rest and recovery are needed, this could lead to a rescheduling of many matches.”

On the men’s side, FIFA has hosted a Club World Cup in most years since 2000. The field expanded to 32 teams for the 2025 edition, which was held in the United States last June and July during the European off-season. It interrupted the season for Major League Soccer, which is moving its schedule to 2027.

FIFA chief football official Jill Ellis defended the proposed timing of the women’s tournament in a call to media on Tuesday, saying it could be reassessed in four years.

“We will have a new calendar conversation in 2030,” Ellis said. «We will look at the entire ecosystem, taking into account all the shareholders. Players are a big part of that. (January 2028) was the window that I think everyone agreed on.»

Published on January 22, 2026