Jun 20, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; FIFA's Chief of global football development Arsene Wenger is pictured in the stands before a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Hannah Mckay-Reuters via Imagn Images

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Arsene Wenger Defends Club World Cup Amid Klopp’s ‘Worst Idea Ever’ Remark

Arsene Wenger emphasised that the Club World Cup provides valuable learnings for FIFA ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Arsene Wenger has pushed back against Jurgen Klopp’s scathing criticism of FIFA’s revamped 32-team Club World Cup. The former Arsenal manager called the Club World Cup a “fantastic competition” that has strong support from the participating clubs, players, and managers.

Last month, Jurgen Klopp criticised FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup, calling it the “worst idea ever” in football. Klopp warned that the tournament will worsen the relentless strain on players’ health. Klopp, who stepped down as Liverpool manager one year ago, is now serving as head of global football for Red Bull. Klopp voiced his frustration as he accused FIFA of failing to understand the “day-to-day business” of club football.

Responding to the criticism from Jurgen Klopp, Arsene Wenger has praised the Club World Cup. Speaking at a FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG) briefing in New York, Wenger countered those claims. Notably, Wenger is now working as FIFA’s chief of global football development.

Wenger said,

“Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and I don’t share Jurgen Klopp’s view at all. I feel that a Club World Cup, a REAL Club World Cup, was needed. If you inquire today with all the clubs that were here at this competition, I’m sure that we (will) have 100 per cent of the answers from people who want to do this again. That’s the best answer.”

Wenger also highlighted the unexpectedly high attendance figures during some matches at the tournament as evidence of its popularity. He said,

“The decisive question is, do the fans like it? Attendance projections were low, but in reality, they were much higher. The answer is there.”

Arsene Wenger has hit back at Jurgen Klopp's criticisms of the Fifa Club World Cup 🌎 pic.twitter.com/trrCn8Ipzk
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 10, 2025

FIFA Considering Using More Covered Stadiums for World Cup 2026

Arsene Wenger emphasised that the Club World Cup provides valuable learnings for FIFA ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the summer heat in the US. He said,

“The heat in some games was a problem. We tried to combat that with cooling breaks and watering the pitches during breaks. We learned a lot on that front.”

Wenger mentioned Orlando as one of the venues where pitch conditions proved challenging but praised the overall quality of the natural grass pitches. He called Philadelphia’s surface a benchmark for future tournaments.

To address weather concerns for future events, FIFA is considering using more covered stadiums in cities like Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Houston. Wenger revealed that FIFA analysts found that temperatures above 35°C (95°F) impacted high-speed sprints but not the overall distance covered by players.

Also Read: Jamal Musiala Sends Support to Gianluigi Donnarumma as PSG Coach Confirms Keeper ‘Devastated’

The Club World Cup has seen a mix of attendance levels, with strong support from South American fans but lower turnouts for some fixtures involving smaller clubs. Player welfare concerns have also been raised due to extreme heat and busy schedules. Despite Klopp’s concerns, Wenger believes the competition has proven its worth:

The inaugural 32-team Club World Cup concludes this Sunday, with Chelsea facing Paris Saint-Germain in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

2025 FIFA Club World Cup

2026 World Cup

Arsene Wenger

FIFA Club World Cup

FIFA Club World Cup 2025

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Jurgen Klopp

Abhinav Goel

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I am a soccer writer at The PlayOffs, covering everything from match analysis to transfer buzz and tactical deep dives. Ever since I was a kid, soccer has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been an obsession. Playing and watching the game from a young age fueled my passion, eventually leading me into the world of sports media and betting. Now, I get to analyze the sport I love and bring the latest updates to fans worldwide.