Wenger Defends Revamped 32-Team Club World Cup Amid Klopp Criticism

Arsene Wenger, FIFA's chief of global football development, has strongly defended the revamped 32-team Club World Cup against Jurgen Klopp's harsh criticism, calling it a "fantastic competition" with full support from participating clubs, players, and managers. While Klopp described the tournament as "the worst idea ever invented," Wenger highlighted the unexpectedly high attendance figures and positive feedback from clubs as evidence of its success. The tournament also served as a valuable testing ground for FIFA ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America, despite challenges posed by the summer heat in some U.S. venues like Orlando. Wenger noted FIFA's efforts to mitigate heat effects through cooling breaks and pitch watering and expressed plans to use more covered stadiums in cities such as Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Houston for future tournaments to improve conditions. He emphasized that the quality of natural grass pitches was generally good, with Philadelphia’s surface seen as a benchmark. Wenger concluded that fan engagement and club enthusiasm confirm the Club World Cup's positive reception and importance for global football development.