European clubs explore global representative body
EFC president Nasser Al-Khelaifi wants to consider expanding club representation beyond Europe.
The European Football Clubs is exploring the creation of a global organisation for football clubs. President Nasser Al-Khelaifi said during the general assembly in Copenhagen that the time had come for a platform representing clubs worldwide.
Al-Khelaifi, president of EFC and Paris Saint-Germain, presented the idea during the organisation’s general assembly. He called the possible new organisation World Football Clubs. According to him, clubs have become increasingly international and therefore also need a collective voice beyond Europe.
EFC is the successor to the European Club Association and, according to the organisation itself, represents more than 800 clubs from 55 countries and territories. This includes more than 140 women’s clubs. The general assembly in Copenhagen runs from 28 to 30 September inclusive.
For now, this is a plan in the exploratory phase. EFC has published no detailed statutes, membership list or timetable for a global organisation. Nor is it clear whether the new structure would become an independent governing body or primarily a discussion platform alongside existing football organisations.
The move fits into a broader power struggle over money, tournaments and governance. EFC already works closely with UEFA and is involved in talks on commercial rights and solidarity payments. FIFA remains responsible for the global football structure and international competitions. A new club organisation would therefore operate alongside existing institutions and could at times come into conflict with them.
For clubs, global representation could bring benefits in negotiations over broadcasting rights, tournament calendars, transfer rules and income from international events. Smaller clubs could thereby gain a collective channel, while larger clubs could exert more influence over the distribution of commercial proceeds.
There are risks too. More organisations could fragment decision-making and create new conflicts over who speaks on behalf of clubs. Players, supporters and national associations also have interests in the calendar and the distribution of money. The coming months will show whether the idea develops into a formal proposal or remains primarily a pressure tactic in negotiations within international football.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- EFC is exploring global representation for football clubs.
- EFC represents hundreds of European clubs and works with UEFA.
- FIFA remains the global football governing body.
- There is not yet a detailed proposal for the new organisation.
Left
Arguments Clubs should negotiate collectively so that smaller clubs, women’s clubs, players and supporters also share in the growth of international football revenues.
Values Solidarity, broad representation and the protection of workers and communities.
Consequences A broad organisation could limit the concentration of power among top clubs, but would require complex agreements on distribution and decision-making.
Centre
Arguments New representation could be useful if it complements existing governing bodies and accepts transparent rules for revenues, the calendar and oversight.
Values Institutional continuity, compromise and predictable governance.
Consequences Co-operation could reduce conflicts, but an additional layer of governance could slow decision-making.
Right
Arguments Clubs bear the financial risk and should therefore have more influence over commercial rights, competitions and regulation.
Values Ownership, entrepreneurship and autonomy.
Consequences Greater club power could stimulate investment and innovation, but could overshadow smaller clubs and the public interest.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The size and structure of EFC have been confirmed by EFC and UEFA. The text treats the global organisation as a proposal and makes no predictions about the outcome.
- confirmed EFC is exploring a global organisation called World Football Clubs. — Al-Khelaifi made this statement during the general assembly, according to AS. source
- confirmed EFC represents more than 800 clubs from 55 countries and territories. — These figures appear on the official EFC website. source
- confirmed The general assembly is taking place in Copenhagen from 28 to 30 September. — The official event page lists these dates and this location. source
- confirmed EFC works institutionally with UEFA. — UEFA describes the co-operation and the memorandum with EFC. source
Editor's note
The statement about World Football Clubs was publicly reported from the general assembly. The organisation does not yet exist; details about its legal form, powers and membership are absent.Sources
- EFC General Assembly 2026 — European Football Clubs
- We are European Football Clubs — European Football Clubs
- Clubs — UEFA
- Al Khelaïfi invita al Madrid — AS
More on this in Dutch media
- NU.nl — „efc voetbalclubs”
- De Telegraaf — „efc voetbalclubs”
- AD — „efc voetbalclubs”