Premier League to Stay with 20 Clubs Despite FIFA Pressure

Premier League CEO Richard Masters confirmed that the league will not cut down to 18 clubs, rejecting FIFA’s push amid the expanding global football calendar. Ahead of the 2025-26 season starting August 15, Masters emphasised that growth should not come at the cost of domestic football, despite tensions over the revamped Club World Cup.

After the conclusion of the revamped Club World Cup, where Chelsea emerged victorious over Paris Saint-Germain, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has confirmed that England’s top flight will not be reduced to 18 teams. His firm stance comes amid increasing pressure from FIFA and growing concerns over the ever-expanding football calendar. The 2025-26 Premier League season is set to kick off on August 15, just four weeks after the previous campaign ended, further intensifying debate over fixture congestion.

FIFA’s Club World Cup expansion, a key initiative of president Gianni Infantino, has sparked tensions with various stakeholders, including FIFPro, the global players’ union. Despite supporting the global growth of football, Masters warned it should not come at the cost of domestic competitions. He emphasised that the Premier League has no intention of altering its 20-team structure for the first time in over three decades.

Speaking to the BBC, Masters stated, “I am all for the growth of the game and the exciting competitions our clubs can participate in, but not at the expense of domestic football.” His remarks underline the Premier League’s commitment to preserving its traditional format and resisting external pressures from international bodies.