Wenger Backs Expanded Club World Cup, Dismisses Klopp’s Criticism
Arsène Wenger, a key figure in the global development of football for FIFA, has expressed his full support for the new Club World Cup format, dismissing the criticisms of former Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp. Wenger considers the tournament a “fantastic competition”, highlighting the support received from participating clubs, players, and coaches. Klopp, who previously managed Liverpool, had called the tournament’s expansion “the worst idea ever invented.” Wenger, in response, defended the initiative during a briefing by FIFA’s Technical Study Group (TSG) in New York.Wenger also highlighted the success of the tournament based on the public’s attendance, which exceeded initial expectations. The tournament has served as a test for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in North America. Wenger acknowledged the challenges of the heat in the United States, but noted that FIFA has learned valuable lessons to address these problems. Wenger mentioned that FIFA is considering the use of covered stadiums in cities like Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Houston for the first matches of next year’s tournaments. In addition, he revealed that FIFA analysts have studied the impact of heat on player performance, discovering that temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius affect high-speed runs and sprints more than the total distances covered. The Club World Cup with 32 teams will end on Sunday, with the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.“Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I do not share Jürgen Klopp’s view at all. I feel that a REAL Club World Cup was needed. If you ask all the clubs that participated in this competition, I am sure that 100% of them will want to do it again. That is the best answer,” Wenger declared.
Arsène Wenger
