USWNT Icon Disses FIFA Over Inaugural Women’s Club World Cup Postponement: “Sick”

So close! That’s exactly what must be going through the minds of the women’s soccer fanbase. Why, you ask? As it turns out, FIFA delivered a heartbreaking update by announcing the postponement of the inaugural Women’s Club World Cup. The prestigious women’s domestic tournament, which was set to debut in 2026, will now apparently be pushed back to 2028. While others are not taking this news well, USWNT icon Jessica McDonald isn’t surprised at all!

Don’t get her wrong. Of course, her frustration over this decision persists on FIFA. In fact, she has already considered both the pros and cons of the tournament. “I think for viewership, [it] would be really good for the women’s game. If I’m thinking from a player standpoint, having to play more games, doing a lot more to my body, I’m back and forth,” began McDonald while speaking on the Attacking Third podcast.

While she understands that the CWC stakeholders need more time to get it done right, the ex-forward remains skeptical of the decision. “Of course, they’re postponing it. Whatever their excuses are,” she said, citing the resources and money at their disposal, making it easy for them to make it happen at any time.

Notably, the postponement of CWC saw Gianni Infantino-led Corp introduce another remarkable tournament, the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. The tournament will witness six winners of each confederation’s club series. Additionally, this newly launched tournament will only be taking place in years when the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup isn’t being conducted.

Yet, Jessica still saw it as a great opportunity to determine the best team in the world. It would have also created an exciting spectacle for fans while paving the way for the further evolution of the women’s game. “With the way women’s football is just booming worldwide, right now is a great opportunity to have something like this.”

“Things like this, postponing something for the women’s game doesn’t even surprise me. I’m sick of going through things like this as a female athlete. Who knows if they’re going to postpone it again? Who knows if they’re even going to have this?” concluded McDonald in frustration.  Clearly, the former NWSL superstar isn’t pleased with FIFA’s surprising call. Well, she wasn’t alone in expressing her discontent, as another USWNT icon went quite harsh on the apex soccer authority.

Another USWNT legend slams FIFA over Women’s Club World Cup call

In a similar segment, Darian Jenkins also didn’t hold back in taking a dig at the stakeholders of the tournament. “Don’t propose tournaments that seem half-a—-,” said the former Orlando Pride forward. Already, supporters across the globe had been demanding the Club World Club. And canceling at the last moment surely doesn’t help FIFA’s case. She questioned and slammed the stakeholders for “overselling something that could be incredible and constantly under-delivering.”

Jenkins also underlined the big pot of money that FIFA has put in for the men’s side. For those unaware, Gianni Infantino and Co. announced a whopping $1 billion prize fund for the upcoming 2025 Club World Cup. Hence, she urged FIFA to keep such incentives for the women’s game as well. Already, teams and players suffer due to grueling schedules and if the participating teams aren’t getting such benefits, it hardly makes a point for them to consider even playing in it.

“If you have some that will make a team or a league adjust a little bit to participate in this because it brings visibility and maybe more sponsorship dollars to that league and that team, that would make the conversation a little simpler and people would actually adjust but swim soccer,” concluded Jenkins.

It’s unclear whether FIFA has actually put in such incentives. For now, what remains on the table is that the Women’s Club World Cup isn’t happening before 2028.