{
  "id": 10720552,
  "title": "PFA boss Molango hints at footballer strike if Fifa competition expansion persists",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/pfa-boss-molango-hints-at-footballer-strike-if-fifa-competition",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T14:20:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/pfa-boss-molango-hints-at-footballer-strike-if-fifa-competition-expansion-persists/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Players' union boss Maheta Molango has warned that footballers might resort to \"radical\" actions like strikes due to FIFA's expansion of the World Cup and Club World Cup. Molango criticized FIFA President Gianni Infantino for presenting the expansion as a way to \"unite the world\", when he believes it is driven by commercial interests. Molango pointed out that players feel deceived by Infantino's claims, as they are the ones paying for the consequences. He cited the example of Cole Palmer, who would have gone four summers without a break, but now faces injury due to the increased competition load. Molango also expressed concern over players being treated as business products, with FIFA President Infantino planning to run for re-election despite backlash over his aborted plan to sell stakes in FIFA's tournament business to outside investors. FIFA's players union is demanding consultation with player unions before making any changes to the global calendar, with Molango stating, \"Don't tell me it's about 'uniting the world', when then you discover it was about increasing the income.\" The situation has been exacerbated by recent events such as tennis players threatening strike action for more decision-making power, forming a Grand Slam player council to effect change. Molango noted that players have realized they are the product that investors want, and during periods of empty stands, like during the Covid-19 pandemic, the sport still thrives as long as players show up to play.",
  "summary": "Footballers could take “radical” steps such as strike action as a result of Fifa’s expansion of the World Cup and Club World Cup, players union boss Maheta Molango has warned. Molango added that players felt deceived by Fifa president Gianni Infantino presenting an increase in teams and games as “football uniting the world” when there [...]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}