Overview

• Jürgen Klopp has labelled the 32-team Club World Cup “pointless” and the “worst idea ever,” warning that back-to-back tournaments leave no real physical or mental recovery and risk a surge in injuries.
• Pep Guardiola said he understands Klopp’s arguments from past calendar battles but emphasised that managers must follow competitions organised by FIFA and noted that criticism often comes from clubs excluded from the event.
• FIFPRO and several European leagues have filed a legal complaint with the European Commission, accusing FIFA of abusing its dominance by imposing a congested schedule without sufficient welfare safeguards.
• FIFA insists it has addressed player health with larger squad allowances, permanent concussion substitutes and a $1 billion fund, and points out the Club World Cup replaces the Confederations Cup with a limit of seven matches per four-year cycle.
• The tournament, running June 14–July 13 in the United States and now in its round-of-16 stage, doubles as a preparatory test for the 2026 World Cup while reshaping pre-season calendars.