Overview

• Organizers moved Borussia Dortmund’s round-of-16 and Bayern Munich’s quarterfinal into a retractable-roof venue to safeguard players and fans from sweltering temperatures and storms
• BVB coach Niko Kovac defended the tournament’s setup, attributing weather disruptions to climate change, while sporting director Sebastian Kehl labeled the ticketing and kickoff schedules ‘childhood illnesses’ of a new competition
• FC Bayern extended veteran Thomas Müller’s contract by one month to ensure a farewell appearance at the Club World Cup even as they replaced him on the club app cover with rising star Michael Olise
• Both Bundesliga sides have pocketed roughly €90 million in FIFA prize money and are staging fan festivals in Miami, Cincinnati and Atlanta to deepen their U.S. commercial foothold
• Despite the expanded format offering youth prospects a platform, Bayern and Dortmund have largely relied on experienced starting lineups, averaging nearly 30 years of age and limiting academy playing time