The newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup, currently underway in the United States, has drawn sharp criticism from Jürgen Klopp, the former Liverpool manager, who has labeled it "the worst idea ever implemented in football". Klopp's comments highlight growing concerns about the tournament's impact on player welfare and the already congested football calendar.
The 2025 Club World Cup marks a significant shift, expanding from a seven-team competition to a 32-team format. This expansion, mirroring the format of the FIFA World Cup, aims to globalize club football, increase commercial revenues, and offer more clubs a chance at international glory. The tournament is taking place across 12 venues in 11 cities in the United States from June 14 to July 13, 2025. The teams are divided into eight groups of four, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage.
Klopp's main concern revolves around the physical toll the tournament will take on players. With an already packed schedule, he warns of a looming injury crisis and criticizes the lack of adequate rest for players. He points out that players are expected to perform at their peak 70 to 75 times a year, which is unsustainable without proper breaks. He draws a comparison to NBA players, who receive four months off annually, a luxury rarely afforded to footballers like Virgil van Dijk. Klopp fears that the lack of recovery time, both physically and mentally, will lead to injuries and a decline in performance quality, ultimately devaluing the sport.
This isn't the first time Klopp has voiced his disapproval of the Club World Cup. He has previously complained about the absence of a proper break after the season ends, deeming it a "pointless competition". He believes that whoever wins the tournament will be the "worst winner of all time" because they will have played all summer and then gone straight back into the league. Klopp also criticizes those who make decisions about the game without a true understanding of the day-to-day realities of football.
The expansion of the Club World Cup has faced opposition from other quarters as well. FIFPRO, the global players' union, and the World Leagues Forum have expressed concerns about fixture congestion and player welfare. They argue that the relentless schedule increases the risk of player burnout and injuries.
Despite the criticisms, FIFA remains optimistic about the expanded Club World Cup. The organization views the tournament as a vehicle for globalizing club football, increasing commercial revenues, and offering more clubs from around the world a shot at international glory. FIFA also sees this as a natural progression and one that will further democratize access to the world stage and unlock new markets for the sport. There is a total of $1 billion USD in prize money up for grabs.
The debate surrounding the Club World Cup highlights the ongoing tension between the commercial interests of football and the well-being of its players. As the tournament progresses, it remains to be seen whether FIFA's vision for a globalized club competition can be realized without compromising the health and performance of the athletes at its heart. FIFA is even considering expanding the competition to 48 teams from 32.
