European Club Association (ECA) chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has told Fussball Bild he fears "a revolution is inevitable" after FIFA's decision to expand the World Cup to 46 teams, suggesting clubs could withhold players for the 2026 tournament.
Bayern Munich CEO Rummenigge heads up the ECA, which represents the biggest clubs on the continent and which has joined the German Football Association (DFB) and German Football League (DFL) in criticising FIFA's decision, which comes into effect in 2026.
Rummenigge has now warned that the expansion -- which will see an increase in games even though tournaments are still set to take place over 32 days -- could lead to a clash between FIFA and the clubs who pay the players' wages amid concerns over injuries and burnout.