Jurgen Klopp says Club World Cup ‘worst idea ever implemented in football' due to calendar concern
Jurgen Klopp has said the expanded Club World Cup 'is the worst idea ever implemented in football' in relation to football's calendar and restricted time for player development.
Former Liverpool boss Klopp, now head of global soccer at Red Bull (RB Salzburg competed in this year's Club World Cup but were eliminated in the group stage), raised the tournament's introduction when asked about developing players, and also drew on the volume of matches they play and the likelihood of increased injury risk.
Advertisement
Speaking to German outlet Welt when asked about player training in specific positions, he said: 'In the end, it's all about the game and not the surrounding aspects — and that's why the Club World Cup is the worst idea ever implemented in football in this regard.
'People who have never had anything to do with day-to-day business or who no longer have anything to do with it come up with something.'
Speaking specifically on player workload, Klopp said: '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. An NBA player, who also earns a big salary, has a four-month break every year. This is what (Liverpool defender) Virgil van Dijk got in his entire career.'
The Club World Cup began on June 14 and concludes on July 13. The new Premier League season kicks off on August 15, the new Serie A seasons kick off on August 23, La Liga and Ligue 1 on August 17, and the Bundesliga on August 22.
Ahead of the tournament, FIFPro — the global representative organisation of player unions to ensure their collective recognition — called for the introduction of a mandatory four-week off-season break to safeguard against excessive workloads at the elite level and ease a congested football calendar.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the heat in which Club World Cup matches are being played.
The group stages of the tournament concluded earlier this week, with the last-16 stage starting on Saturday.
(Joerg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool via Getty Images)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
33 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Chelsea coach Maresca says US 'is not the right place' for Club World Cup after lightning delay
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca criticized FIFA for holding the Club World Cup in the United States after his club's match against Benfica on Saturday was delayed for two hours due to lightning and took nearly five hours to complete. Fans were told to vacate the seating bowl of Bank of America Stadium with four minutes left in regulation, although it never rained at the venue. Chelsea went on to beat Benfica 4-1 in extra time.
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Chelsea coach Maresca says US 'is not the right place' for Club World Cup after lightning delay
Players warm up after a weather delay in the Club World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Benfica and Chelsea in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca criticized FIFA for holding the Club World Cup in the United States after his club's match against Benfica on Saturday was delayed for two hours due to lightning and took nearly five hours to complete. Fans were told to vacate the seating bowl of Bank of America Stadium with four minutes left in regulation, although it never rained at the venue. Chelsea went on to beat Benfica 4-1 in extra time. Advertisement If 'they are already suspending six, seven eight games, probably there is something that is not working well,' Maresca said, adding that the United States 'is not the right place to do this competition.' Extreme heat has been an issue throughout the tournament, with temperatures approaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) at some venues during daytime matches scheduled to accommodate European television audiences. Several matches have been delayed by rain. After the lengthy delay on Saturday, Benfica made a late push and scored the equalizer on a stoppage-time penalty. Chelsea captain Reece James said players 'had to sit and wait for a long period, and it's quite disruptive.' Advertisement With the expanded Club World Cup serving as a dry run for next year's 48-team World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, FIFA has been criticized over pitch conditions and match scheduling as well as its handling of the weather. ___ AP soccer:
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Chelsea coach Maresca says US 'is not the right place' for Club World Cup after lightning delay
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca criticized FIFA for holding the Club World Cup in the United States after his club's match against Benfica on Saturday was delayed for two hours due to lightning and took nearly five hours to complete. Fans were told to vacate the seating bowl of Bank of America Stadium with four minutes left in regulation, although it never rained at the venue. Chelsea went on to beat Benfica 4-1 in extra time. If 'they are already suspending six, seven eight games, probably there is something that is not working well,' Maresca said, adding that the United States 'is not the right place to do this competition.' Extreme heat has been an issue throughout the tournament, with temperatures approaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) at some venues during daytime matches scheduled to accommodate European television audiences. Several matches have been delayed by rain. After the lengthy delay on Saturday, Benfica made a late push and scored the equalizer on a stoppage-time penalty. Chelsea captain Reece James said players 'had to sit and wait for a long period, and it's quite disruptive.' With the expanded Club World Cup serving as a dry run for next year's 48-team World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, FIFA has been criticized over pitch conditions and match scheduling as well as its handling of the weather. ___ AP soccer:
