Arsene Wenger refutes Jurgen Klopp claim with staunch defence of Club World Cup

The FIFA Club World Cup has sparked controversy, especially among managers like Jurgen Klopp and Arsene Wenger, over its timing and player fatigue. Potential betting outcomes could see more punters favoring teams with stronger squad depth or those managing player fitness better, given the heavy match schedules imposed by such tournaments.

Ever the company man at FIFA, Arsene Wenger has come out swinging against former foe Jurgen Klopp. The FIFA chief of global football development has been forced into action with Klopp leading the dissent over the controversial Club World Cup.

Wenger and Klopp are now battling in the media after doing so on the touchline. The tournament has been heavily criticised for low attendances, storm delays and sweltering temperatures. They’re all new developments though, with the longest-standing complaint about the FIFA tournament the lack of space for it in the footballing schedule.

Numerous players have now featured in over 70 matches in a year thanks to the expanded tournament which has increased from six teams to 32. As such, Klopp called the Club World Cup ‘the worst idea ever implemented in football’ but Wenger doesn’t agree, and believes he isn’t alone.

The former long-time Arsenal manager commented: “Everybody is entitled in our world to have an opinion. I don’t share the opinion of Jurgen Klopp at all. “I feel that the Club World Cup – a real Club World Cup – is needed.

If you make an inquiry today with all the clubs that were here in this competition, I’m basically sure that 100 per cent of the answers of people would want to do this again. So, that’s basically the best answer – it’s not my opinion, it’s not Jurgen Klopp’s opinion – it’s what the clubs who participated in this competition think of this competition and I’m convinced that it will be very positive.”

Klopp’s comments were made late in June and made headlines worldwide, particularly as one of his teams were in the inaugural expanded tournament. The former manager dueled with Wenger during his time at Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund, but stepped away from coaching in 2024 and later was named Red Bull’s head of global soccer.

Klopp’s succinct criticism quickly made headlines. One of the teams under his umbrella are Salzburg, who were knocked out in the group stage where Real Madrid and Al Hilal finished above them.

Another footballing great on FIFA’s payroll, ambassador and Bulgarian legend Hristo Stoichkov, was keen to point that out when jumping on Klopp’s comments: “I didn’t expect this from Jurgen,” he said. “I have so much respect for him.

“He’s maybe a little angry that Salzburg isn’t participating in the competition because he’s the director of Red Bull. “When Liverpool played, nobody complained, when they got money, nobody complained.”

He continued: “Next year’s World Cup is here, I played here too... so we have to calm things down a bit. Wenger’s fully focused on FIFA since retiring as a coach.

“Before, there were two substitutions and now there are five, which is half the team that can be changed at half-time. Another one in extra time. “If you complain about that, it seems unfair to me. As if we had never played football or played so many games in a year. They don’t complain about earning 20 million a year.”

Klopp isn’t the only prominent voice to come out against the tournament, though, with Ballon d’Or contender and Barcelona talisman Raphinha also hugely critical. “As a player for a European club, I think we’re supposed to be on vacation, right?” he said.

“It’s complicated for us to have to give up our vacation. We have a right to it. Everyone deserves at least three weeks or a month of vacation. “Many of those who are at the World Cup won’t get it. No one asked the players if they agreed with the dates.”

Raphinha is concerned about the impact on his Brazil teammates. He added: “I’m on vacation, and they should be too. “They won the Champions League and barely had time to celebrate their title. “They came to play for the national team and left immediately to play in this World Cup. They haven’t stopped.”

Talksport