June 11 – Following in the footsteps of their female counterparts, a coalition of male football players has called on FIFA to take urgent climate action.
Led by English midfielder David Wheeler who plays at Shrewsbury, the group demands that the world governing body takes action to safeguard the future of the game and the planet. The coalition includes Welsh international Sam Vokes, Scottish defender Michael Devlin, German cup finalist Maël Corboz, and players from countries including the Netherlands, Belgium, New Zealand, Denmark, Ireland, Spain, and Norway.
The signatories argue that climate change poses an increasing threat to the sport. They propose revising the football calendar to reduce the scale and scope of competitions, favouring more regional fixtures to minimise travel and ease players’ physical strain.
Additionally, they call for an end to fossil fuel sponsorships in football, drawing parallels to the global ban on tobacco advertising due to its health impacts.
In a statement, Wheeler said: “FIFA must show leadership by regionalising competitions. More games mean more injuries and more pollution — it’s that simple. If football is truly ‘for all,’ FIFA should not promote fossil fuels that threaten grassroots football for generations to come.”
The male players also expressed strong solidarity with female footballers who spoke out last year against FIFA’s sponsorship deal with Saudi state oil company Aramco, calling it incompatible with the sport’s values and the climate emergency.
Zurich teamed up with Aramco as a worldwide partner before FIFA awarded the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia. Previously, the world governing body rolled out the green card to draw attention to climate change. However, by expanding its tournaments, including this summer’s Club World Cup, FIFA is ignoring its own green card. At a personal level, the organisation’s boss Gianni Infantino travels the world in a Qatari private jet, amassing hundreds of thousands of air miles.
It’s the first time a collective of male players has taken a stand demanding climate responsibility from football’s global governing body.
Wheeler said: “The welfare of professional players goes hand-in-hand with the welfare of the planet.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1749757117labto1749757117ofdlr1749757117owedi1749757117sni@i1749757117tnuk.1749757117ardni1749757117mas1749757117