The FIFA Club World Cup – Two Schools of Thought
The FIFA Club World Cup, as seen by Arsene Wenger: ‘It is a test for football as a world sport; and Jurgen Klopp: ‘That’s not a World Cup.’ This briefing is looking at the arguments from both sides, courtesy of Arsene Wenger (FIFA’s chief of global football development) and Jurgen Klopp (current manager of Liverpool).
Main Themes and Key Points/Highlights:
- Mixed Opinions About the Value of the Tournament:
Jürgen Klopp A Strong Opponent: Former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp, considered a loud critic of the expanded tournament, publicly criticised the expanded tournament last month. His attitude is best captured by the dramatic expression that it’s “the worst idea ever invented.” Though the source doesn’t explain why Klopp has been speaking out, the strength of his wording suggests he has substantial misgivings.
“Wendy joins’Wenger in backing The World Cup 2020-2021 bid in stark contrast, The FIFA boss dismissed claims the World Cup was becoming too big and responded with it was a fantastic competition.” He has publicly given Klopp, whom he described as ‘cocky’, his backing for speaking up and that, in itself, illustrates a divide among footballing’s finest. - Club Support vs. European Scepticism:
100% Club Support (As Per Wenger): Wenger claims the clubs involved are overwhelmingly in favour of the tournament. If you get in touch with all the clubs that were there back then 100% would say we would love to do it again,” he says. At least in Wenger’s view, that sounds like a very positive experience for the clubs. He adds: “That is the most positive answer you get on what the clubs think about a club World Cup.
European Scepticism: Wenger admits there is a geographical discrepancy regarding how people feel some think about us, due to the tournament in Europe, as there is, for example, in other places around the world.” This indicates the resistance or scepticism to the tournament is more prominent within the European football scene, which may also have something to do with Klopp’s background in European club football. - Fan Engagement and Attendance:
More Than Expected Attendances: Wenger isn’t one for letting fans know how he truly feels about how many of them show up, but he comes right out and says that the attendance was “projected as low, and it was much higher.” This supports the idea that the tournament has otherwise surpassed expectations in attracting fans, which Wenger cites as proof of its success.
Fan Support as the “Decisive Question”: Wenger openly names fandom approval the ‘decisive question’ regarding the tournament’s success. “The critical question is, did the fans like it or not?” he says. This speaks to a recognition of the importance of the public being fed into the competition for its future. He thinks the higher attendance is a good “answer” to that question.
In Summary:
The source is a real schism to the FIFA Club World Cup. “A fantastic competition”, Arsene Wenger (Fifa) “It is a fantastic competition, Arsene Wenger, the FIFA head of global football development, said.” The clubs have been in positions which are sometimes unexpected, like Lyon, whose fans and players got a wonderful lift by participating in the semi-finals. Even outside of Europe, there has been interest.” He also directly contradicts Jurgen Klopp’s trenchant criticism, underlining a point of principle about the tournament. Central to these arguments has been consideration of the benefits to the club, and discrepancies of geographical preferences, with the final arbiter of success being the adulation of the fans, something Wenger argues has been clearly expressed by the numbers attending games.
