Overview

• In interviews with Welt am Sonntag and Die Welt, Jurgen Klopp branded the 32-team format “the worst idea ever implemented in football” and blamed non-football insiders for its design.
• Klopp cautioned that the extra fixtures will spark an unprecedented injury crisis by denying players essential physical and mental rest.
• He described the tournament’s prize-money structure as “crazy” and unfair because participation payments exclude many clubs.
• Klopp compared footballers unfavorably to NBA athletes, noting that players receive far shorter off-season breaks.
• Kevin de Bruyne added that just three weeks will separate the Club World Cup final from the Premier League opener, further straining an already crowded schedule.