MusaThe World’s Biggest Clubs Gather in the USA for a Month-Long Football Spectacle
Football’s elite have arrived in the USA for an expanded Club World Cup, now featuring 32 teams in a revamped format. While the tournament itself isn’t new, this marks its first iteration as a month-long, large-scale competition.
Powerhouses like Bayern Munich, Chelsea, PSG, Palmeiras, and Real Madrid remain in contention as the round of 16 nears completion. Yet, despite the star-studded line-up, the event has faced significant backlash.
Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has called it “the worst idea ever,” citing the physical toll on players. He pointed out the lack of recovery time, with the tournament squeezed between seasons. His concerns have been widely shared.
Weather Woes and Fixture Chaos
The tournament has also been plagued by logistical issues, particularly weather delays. Chelsea’s 4-1 extra-time victory over Benfica in Charlotte, for instance, stretched over four hours due to a two-hour stoppage.
A furious Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca didn’t hold back: “It’s a joke, to be honest. This isn’t football—it’s something else entirely. If multiple games are being suspended, maybe this isn’t the right place to host it. When do you see matches halted in a World Cup or European competition? Never.”
McCoist’s Blunt Take
Rangers legend Ally McCoist, fresh off a charity cycling trip, admitted he hadn’t paid much attention to the tournament—and wasn’t alone. “I’ll be brutally honest, I haven’t watched it,” he said on talkSPORT. “My sons have, and now that we’re at the knockout stages, I’ll tune in. But earlier? No interest—and judging by the empty seats, plenty agreed.”
When asked if he’d be waking up at 2 a.m. to catch Manchester City vs. Al Hilal, McCoist laughed: “No. I’ll check the result.”
He added, “Between the weather, the awkward kick-off times—it all affects your interest. And I don’t care what anyone says, that’s the truth.”
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