'Worst idea ever': From delays to 'poor' pitches and fatigue, FIFA Club World Cup comes under fire

As the final eight of the 2025 Club World Cup takes shape with teams like Chelsea and Palmeiras booking their spots, the tournament has become the target of criticism from several top figures in the sport.

While thrilling matchups such as Paris Saint-Germain vs Inter Miami and Real Madrid vs Juventus keep fans on edge, the build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has exposed serious issues in the revamped 32-team Club World Cup.From matches being disrupted because of extreme heat to pitch concerns and an expanded format, players and coaches alike have raised concerns. Despite solid turnouts at some fixtures, the overall experience, both on and off the pitch, has left many questioning the planning behind the tournament.

Enzo Maresca questions USA hosting the Club World Cup

Chelsea may have comfortably defeated Benfica 4-1, but manager Enzo Maresca was far from being satisfied. The Italian coach vented his frustration after the match was delayed by nearly two hours due to lightning in Charlotte, North Carolina, stretching the game to five hours.

“This is not the right place to do this competition,” Maresca said, noting it was already the sixth weather-related delay of the tournament.

“If they are already suspending six, seven, eight games, probably there is something that is not working well.”

Jude Bellingham ridicules 'poor' pitches

Poor pitch quality has been another talking point of the competition. PSG boss Luis Enrique didn’t hold back, comparing the playing surface to a pothole-riddled basketball court after his side’s 2-0 win over Seattle Sounders.“I wouldn't imagine an NBA court full of holes,” said Enrique. “The ball bounces almost like if it were jumping around like a rabbit.”Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham also mirrored his concerns after his side’s 3-1 win over Pachuca. “The pitches aren’t great at all. It holds up the ball, the ball barely bounces,” said the England star. “It’s tough on the knees as well. Hopefully there's someone who will look at that going into the World Cup next year,” the player told Sky Sports.

Jurgen Klopp calls it the 'worst idea ever'

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp called out the tournament's expanded format, pointing to a packed football calendar and player fatigue.

"It's all about the game and not the surrounding events – and that's why the Club World Cup is the worst idea ever implemented in football in this regard," Klopp told Welt am Sonntag. “There is insane money for participating, but it’s also not for every club... That means no real recovery for the players involved, neither physically nor mentally.”

Has attendance really been that low at the Club World Cup?

Despite reports of low crowd numbers at certain matches, some fixtures have seen heavy attendance.

Eighteen group-stage games drew over 40,000 fans, and a record 80,619 showed up to watch PSG thrash Atletico Madrid 4-0 at the Rose Bowl, making it the highest attended game in Club World Cup history.However, weekday games saw poor turnout, with the worst being Ulsan HD vs Mamelodi Sundowns in Orlando, where only 3,412 fans attended a match delayed by storms. This wasn't the lowest in tournament history, but it reflected poor turnout in less-hyped fixtures.

That being said, the opening match between Al Ahly and Inter Miami drew 60,927 fans to Hard Rock Stadium.

Extreme heat

Sweltering conditions have plagued several games, with temperatures soaring to 36°C during Bayern Munich vs Benfica in Charlotte. Chelsea coach Maresca described trying to train in Philadelphia’s “code red” heat warning zone as “impossible.”

Games have featured mandatory cooling breaks, with players using ice towels and dousing themselves in water to survive the conditions.

The threat of thunderstorms also looms large, with five games facing lengthy delays due to lightning within a 10-mile radius of stadiums.Even Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund resorted to keeping their substitutes in the dressing room during matches. Their coach Niko Kovac described the dugout atmosphere as of that to a “sauna”.As the Club World Cup moves closer to its conclusion, the football on display has had its moments, but the criticism surrounding schedule, climate, and player welfare are casting long shadows over FIFA’s revamped project.