Jurgen Klopp: The Expansion Of The 2025 Club World Cup Is The Worst Idea In Football

JAKARTA - Liverpool's former manager, Jurgen Klopp, criticized the expansion of the 2025 Club World Cup format. He called the tournament the worst idea ever to apply in the world of football.

In an interview with German newspaper Die Welt, published on Friday, June 27, 2025, evening local time, Klopp said the tournament would add to the burden on the calendar that is already dense for the players.

This expanded format features an event that 32 teams participate in and is held every four years during pre-season, in the summer between major international tournaments.

"It's a useless tournament. Whoever wins it will be the worst winner of all time because they will be playing all summer and then straight back to the league."

"There are people who have never been involved in the daily football business and now come up with new ideas," Klopp said.

Klopp menunjukkan bahwa para pemain saat ini semakin kurang waktu untuk beristirahat. Ia mengingatkan bahwa menambah satu turnaran lagi berpotensi membahayakan kesehatan mereka.

"Too many games. I'm afraid next season we'll see an unprecedented injury."

"Otherwise, injuries will come during or after the Club World Cup. There is no real recovery for those involved, both physically and mentally," said the German coach.

Meanwhile, he was also asked if he wanted to coach again. Klopp, who ended his nine-year very successful tenure with Liverpool in 2024, is now the head of global football for Red Bull, owners of several clubs including RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls.

"I don't want it anymore. I now have a satisfying and intense job."

"I don't sleep in the morning and I don't sleep late at night, but I can manage my job better," he said.