Jurgen Klopp criticized soccer governing bodies like FIFA and UEFA for adding more competitive matches to the calendar in recent years, worsening a fixture congestion issue that many argue endangers player welfare.
Klopp, head of global soccer for Red Bull, highlighted several competitions during a wide-ranging interview with CBS Sports, beginning with the newly formatted Club World Cup held in the U.S. last summer. The tournament was expanded from eight teams to 32, provoking frustration among those like Klopp who face the challenges of player fatigue.
“The physical part is really, really tough for the players,” Klopp noted. “Paris [Saint-Germain] has had a few injuries, Chelsea too many. Let me see, who was in the Club World Cup final? Ah, Chelsea against Paris! Surprise! It’s just too much—it’s relentless, and the main issue hasn’t been addressed yet.”
Klopp revealed he boycotted the Club World Cup this summer, admitting, “I survived easily without watching a single game.” He also didn’t follow the matches of Red Bull Salzburg, who fell short in the group stage after encountering Real Madrid, Pachuca, and Al-Hilal.
“No. They were a bit annoyed about that. Normally, I would be straightforward, but in this case, it’s clear—I can’t express that in a way that will have real impact. It’s better I address my microwave; at least it listens, rather than FIFA and UEFA.”
The former Liverpool manager criticized a recent proposal to increase the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams to mark the tournament’s centennial, which FIFA reportedly is not considering.
“At that moment, there’s discussion about increasing the World Cup to 64 teams. Is that going from April to August? How will that be structured? Who plays who? They simply can’t have enough, and that’s quite concerning.”
Klopp traced scheduling concerns back to the UEFA Nations League, initiated in September 2018, which compounded international breaks with competitive fixtures rather than friendly matches between countries. Despite UEFA’s ties to the Nations League in relation to their tournaments, Klopp contended it places undue stress on elite players and national team coaches alike.
“You can’t rotate the best players in the world,” he remarked. “In Germany, I was upset when they proposed the UEFA Nations League. [UEFA president] Mr. [Aleksander] Ceferin likely enjoyed our discussions until I voiced my concerns about UEFA. The need for friendly matches should remain—players benefit from preparing in those environments; we don’t need another competition.”
Reflecting on his time with Liverpool, Klopp said his players struggled to manage their minutes during international breaks due to the Nations League’s absurd competition rules.
“I would often ask, ‘Does he truly need to go? He’s played so many matches already,’” he recalled, recounting past conversations with national team coaches. “If he doesn’t play, we risk being demoted in the Nations League. Is that a thing? Are you serious? It creates unnecessary pressure.”
Klopp’s insights add to an ongoing dialogue about this vital issue in contemporary soccer, as he aligns with influential voices like retired player and current CBS Sports analyst Thierry Henry, who recently criticized FIFA and UEFA for adding more competitive matches in the Champions League discussions.
“For me, it’s straightforward,” he stated. “It’s not about complaints or debates regarding player compensation; it’s about constructive discussions with player representatives—genuine discussions, not involving past players. Speak to current stars like Virgil van Dijk or Mo Salah. They should be included in these conversations.”
