Dr. Mahfoud Amara
Football has evolved from a simple sport to a global spectacle that attracts not only millions of fans but also vast business, political, and geopolitical interests.
It has become one of the most powerful and unifying forces worldwide, influencing everything from cultural and consumption trends to international relations.
Its reach extends far beyond the pitch, making it a key player in global entertainment, with major stakeholders competing for influence over its direction.
The governing bodies of football, particularly FIFA and UEFA, have long sought to maintain control over the game, capitalising on its enormous commercial value.
In recent years, however, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of football competitions at national, regional, and international levels. This growth is not just driven by the desire to entertain more fans, but also by a strategic move to retain dominance.
Faced with the growing power and wealth of Europe’s biggest football clubs, there has been a push from some of these clubs to create their own breakaway super league.
Such a move would significantly disrupt the football ecosystem, allowing clubs to dictate their own terms and profits. In response, football governing bodies have expanded their own competitions, like the UEFA Champions League, transforming it into a near-weekly league-like format to cater to this growing appetite for more football, while also stopping any separatist ambitions from the top clubs.
Yet, this strategy of constantly increasing the number of competitions might be doing more harm than good. The oversaturation of football, while initially lucrative, threatens to dilute the excitement and uniqueness of the sport. The demanding schedule also impacts on the players well-being.
With so many competitions to participate in, players are subjected to physical and mental fatigue, resulting in more injuries, little room for recovery and shortened careers.
Moreover, this saturation risks undermining the fan experience. What once felt like a special event, is now becoming routine. Without the time to build excitement or create memorable moments, football risks losing its emotional connection with its audience.
The prioritisation of revenue over the quality of the football product may produce significant short-term gains, but in the long run, it could damage the sport’s integrity.
By chasing more matches, more sponsors, and more broadcasting deals, the very essence of football—the joy of the game—could get lost.
In the end, while FIFA’s efforts to maintain its control over football is understandable, the approach of adding more competitions could backfire. Football’s magic lies in its moments - the drama, the excitement, the rarity of great matches.
Oversaturation runs the risk of turning these moments into mere routine fixtures in an overcrowded calendar. If not handled carefully, too much football might indeed kill football.
Dr. Mahfoud Amara is an Associate Professor in Sport Social Sciences and Management at Qatar University.
