European Clubs Group Proposes New Global Body to Represent Football Clubs

European clubs seek stronger global representation European Football Clubs chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi has proposed the creation of a new global organization that would represent football clubs around the world and give them a stronger collective voice in the sport's international structure. The proposal was announced on Tuesday at the European Football Clubs' General Assembly in Copenhagen, where Al-Khelaifi outlined the idea of creating what he described as a global network for clubs. The proposed organization would be separate from national football associations and would seek to represent clubs as a distinct stakeholder in the international game. Details about its formal structure, membership and powers have not yet been finalized. A new voice for clubs According to the proposal, the organization could provide clubs with a platform to engage with international football institutions and address issues affecting clubs across different regions. Al-Khelaifi said the European Football Clubs organization had developed into a global network since its formation, with membership growing substantially in recent years. He said the organization now provides clubs with opportunities to work together both inside and outside Europe. The proposal comes at a time when the relationship between clubs, leagues, national associations and international governing bodies continues to evolve. Football clubs are increasingly involved in discussions surrounding competition structures, commercial rights, player workloads, international calendars and the distribution of revenues from major competitions. European clubs' growing influence Al-Khelaifi said European clubs remain a major part of the global football ecosystem, pointing to the large number of players from European clubs who participated in this year's expanded 48-team World Cup. The EFC chairman also highlighted the organization's relationship with UEFA, including a joint commercial venture that is expected to generate significant revenues for European football. The proposal for a global clubs organization would potentially expand that representation beyond Europe, although its exact relationship with existing football governing bodies remains to be established. What happens next? The proposed organization is still at an early stage. No detailed timetable for its creation, membership requirements or governance structure was announced alongside the proposal. Those details will be important in determining how the organization would operate and how it would interact with FIFA, UEFA, continental confederations, national associations and other football stakeholders. For now, the proposal signals another step toward giving professional football clubs a more coordinated role in discussions about the future of the sport. Source: Reuters reporting, September 29, 2026.