Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has responded firmly to Jurgen Klopp’s scathing criticism of the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup, defending the tournament as a success and claiming it has the full backing of clubs, players, and fans.
in 2019 Liverpool, went on to win the Club World Cup for the first time, beating Mexican side Monterrey 2–1 in the semi-finals before requiring extra time to claim a 1–0 win over Flamengo in the final with a goal by Roberto Firmino, just six months after the club’s Champions League triumph.
Klopp, who stepped down as Liverpool manager at the end of the 2023–24 season and now serves as head of global soccer for Red Bull, publicly slammed the revamped Club World Cup in June. The German described FIFA’s decision to expand the tournament to 32 teams and shift it to the summer as “the worst idea ever invented,” warning it would only increase player fatigue and heighten injury risk.
Klopp’s comments came after Red Bull Salzburg, one of the teams in his organisation were knocked out of the tournament following a 3-0 thrashing against Real Madrid.
In an interview with Welt, Klopp pointed to the unrelenting schedule players now face.
“Last year we had the Copa America and European Championship, this year the Club World Cup and next year then the World Cup.This does not mean any real recovery for the players who are there, neither physically nor mentally.”
However, 75-year-old Wenger, now FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, has pushed back strongly against Klopp’s remarks. Speaking in a recent conference, the Frenchman defended the tournament’s structure and impact, insisting it’s been embraced by those involved.
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I don’t share Jurgen Klopp’s view at all. If you ask the clubs who participated in the tournament, I believe 100% would say they want to do it again.
That’s the clearest sign of its success.”
Wenger emphasised that the competition has proved popular among fans, with attendances exceeding expectations despite initial concerns. “The decisive question is whether fans like it – and the answer is yes,” he said. “Attendance figures were expected to be low, but they were much higher in reality. That speaks volumes.”
He also addressed concerns around player welfare, acknowledging that high temperatures in some matches posed challenges.
“The heat was an issue at times, but we implemented cooling breaks and watered the pitches during matches. These are valuable lessons as we prepare for the World Cup next summer.”
The debate over the Club World Cup has sparked division across the footballing world. While critics like Klopp view it as an unnecessary addition to an already congested calendar, others including Wenger see it as an exciting global showcase featuring elite clubs.
The former Arsenal boss concluded his thoughts by reiterating FIFA’s commitment to refining the tournament and listening to feedback.
“We learned a lot — from how to manage extreme weather to how to better structure the schedule. The Club World Cup is here to stay, and we believe it will only improve.”
As one of football’s most influential voices, Wenger’s defence of the Club World Cup highlights the growing divide between traditionalists like Klopp and those pushing for a more global, commercially ambitious future for the game.
The Club World Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea takes place this Sunday, July 13, at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. PSG’s reached the final with an emphatic 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid, whereas João Pedro’s eye-catching double against boyhood club Fluminense earned Chelsea a spot with a 2-0 win.
