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Jul 10, 2025, 09:56 PM ET

Arsene Wenger has dismissed Jurgen Klopp's criticism of FIFA's revamped 32-team Club World Cup, calling the tournament a "fantastic competition" and emphasising the support it has received from participating teams, players, and managers.

Klopp, the former Liverpool manager, described the expanded summer competition as "the worst idea ever invented" in an interview with German newspaper Die Welt two weeks ago.

"I feel that a Club World Cup, a REAL Club World Cup was needed.



The answer is there," he added.

The tournament has provided FIFA with a testing ground ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will take place across North America.

Wenger acknowledged that the summer heat in the United States posed challenges, but said FIFA has learned valuable lessons to address these issues.

"The heat in some games was a problem," Wenger admitted.

Philadelphia's surface, he said, would serve as a benchmark for future competitions in the U.S.

Looking ahead, Wenger said FIFA is considering using covered stadiums in cities such as Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Houston to host early matches in next year's tournaments.

We are learning to be better equipped to deal with these conditions," Wenger said.

The inaugural 32-team Club World Cup concludes on Sunday, with Paris Saint-Germain taking on Chelsea in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.


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