A FIFPRO report has found that top-level footballers are under increasing "mental stress" due to fixture workload, with Erling Haaland's "machine-like" start to the season with Manchester City proving the need for a prolonged period of rest.
Carlo Ancelotti has said Real Madrid's hectic fixture list this season means the club are considering giving "individual holidays" to players during the season, to avoid burnout.
FIFA offered talks with global groups of soccer leagues and player unions to end a three-month deadlock after they threatened legal action over adding to the packed competitions calendar.
European leagues and player unions said on Tuesday they will formally complain to the European Commission about how FIFA adds competitions to congested fixture schedules.
The next Africa Cup of Nations finals have been put back six months and will now be played from Dec. 21, 2025 to Jan. 18 2026, the Confederation of African (CAF) football announced on Friday.
Players union FIFPRO filed a legal claim against world football's governing body FIFA, it said on Thursday.
Real Madrid have denied claims that they plan to refuse to take part in FIFA's newly expanded Club World Cup tournament next summer.
Real Madrid will refuse to take part in the first edition of FIFA's new Club World Cup tournament next summer, coach Carlo Ancelotti said.
Two days before the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in London, the Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A and the PFA met to study measures to counteract FIFA's plan for a new Club World Cup.
