Arsene Wenger disagrees with Jürgen Klopp and supports the Club World Cup
Former Arsenal manager believes this new format for the Club World Cup was necessary. Jürgen Klopp predicts many injuries
The 2025 Club World Cup, as an entertainment product, has been a huge success. However, this competition has had its detractors. The most notable critics have been Jürgen Klopp and Javier Tebas. The legendary Arsene Wenger supports the holding of this tournament.
Previously, the Club World Cup was a lackluster tournament. Fewer clubs participated, and expectations began to grow after the semifinals. This didn't happen with this new format. Although a club can play up to seven matches, Wenger considered this change necessary.
"Everyone has the right to their opinion, and I don't share Jürgen Klopp's opinion at all. I think a Club World Cup was needed, a real Club World Cup," said the former Arsenal manager at the FIFA Technical Study Group briefing.
Among the most frequent criticisms is the number of matches played in this new World Cup. This condition affects the start of European tournaments and, in addition, has led to continued wear and tear on players, who reduce their vacation time significantly each year.
But the financial incentive is significant. The winner of the tournament will receive $125 million. According to Arsene Wenger, the directors of the participating clubs are open to the idea of repeating this competition.
“If you ask all the clubs that participated in this competition today, I'm practically sure we'll get 100 percent of the responses from those who want to repeat it. So that's basically the best answer,” he added.
Jürgen Klopp's criticism
The former Liverpool manager did not hide his dissatisfaction with the number of matches played in this new competition. Jürgen Klopp foresees multiple injuries among the players of the teams that participated in this tournament. The wear and tear has been excessive and the body will take its toll. This is the German strategist's conception.
“I fear that next season the players will suffer injuries never seen before (…) If not, it will happen at the World Cup or after.”"This World Cup is happening at the wrong time and for the wrong reasons," Klopp said.