The FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup currently going on in the United States has reached the knockout stage.
NEWSUNPLUG takes a look at the impact the competition has on top European clubs like Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Manchester City who have reached the knockout stage.
Having risen from 7 teams to 32, the Club World Cup has received wide criticism over players’ welfare concerns, the period in which the competition is taking place, among others, with matches played in extreme temperatures.
Critics say the Club World Cup is solely there to boost FIFA’s finances, while the world football’s governing body argued the event is needed to build up to next summer’s World Cup, which will feature 48 countries and be held in 16 cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
NEWSUNPLUG reports that this is the first time that the revamped competition has been held immediately after the conclusion of the European season, a period in the international football calendar where players playing in Europe are supposed to be resting, having their summer holiday and recovery as clubs plan for the pre-season in July.
Several football managers and players, including the likes of Jurgen Klopp, Raphinha, Enzo Maresca, Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola have all in one way or other criticized the timing of the competition.
Klopp even went as far as labelling the competition as the worst idea ever implemented in the history of football.
Speaking with NEWSUNPLUG about the impact of the Club World Cup on European clubs and their players, respected Lagos-based journalist, Femi Fabunmi insisted that the players are happy to be part of the competition in the United States.
According to Fabunmi, the players are enjoying themselves in the US because they are doing what they love to do best.
“Let’s stop saying the players are meant to rest this period. Normally, if not for the World Club Cup, they will be playing friendly games, qualifiers and maybe pre season,” Fabunmi told DAILY POST on Monday.
“Players don’t entirely rest during the summer breaks. For instance, next year’s World Cup will be holding by this time of the year and players whose teams do not qualify wouldn’t even be happy.
“In essence, I’m saying that the players are happy doing their thing at the World Club Cup and it’s a rare privilege for those ones in the United States.
“They will rest when the time comes. Some leagues go on Christmas break in December.
“All I see is that these guys are enjoying themselves because they are doing what they love to do best,” he said.
Also speaking with NEWSUNPLUG on Monday, Media Consultant and Football Development Expert, Ibrahim Lawal, insisted that the European clubs participating in the competition will make a lot more money.
According to Lawal, the clubs will use the money to sign more players when the second summer transfer window opens to avoid fatigue and injuries in a bid to navigate through 2025/26 season.
“Looking at the season calendar of most European clubs, one can say they have a more busy schedule considering the various competitions they play per season,” Lawal told DAILY POST.
“European clubs hold the top 5 best league positions in the world, this makes European leagues more competitive and superior with a lot of monetary incentives, an example is the UEFA Champions League, the best league championship in the world.
“However, it comes with a disadvantage and this year’s Club World Cup competition is like a league extension for European clubs who just concluded their season barely a month before the kick-off, reason why FIFA made it possible to throw the transfer window open shortly before the competition started, to allow clubs sign players in the short transfer window to add to their arsenal.
“Some European clubs were quick to cash in while others remain as usual, waiting for the reopening of the transfer window before they can trade players.
“Looking at the Club World Cup so far, you will agree with me that European clubs still hold the upper hand to win the competition because some South American teams and African teams have exited the competition already.
“I believe the European clubs participating in the competition will make a lot more money and as a result they will have a short pre-season this year despite the September 1st closing date of the transfer window.
“The European clubs will also require a depth in their squads to avoid fatigue, injuries and to be able to navigate through a tough 2025/26 season ahead. So it’s a win-win situation for me,” he added.
