The head of global football for Red Bull, whose team Red Bull Salzburg participated in this summer’s tournament in the United States, has become one of the latest to witness the effects of the expanded Club World Cup. This year marks the first time the competition featured 32 teams and 48 games, with Salzburg exiting at the group stage.
Meanwhile, concerns over player welfare have intensified. Coaches have increasingly voiced frustrations over fixture congestion and the relentless demands placed on players, who often receive little time for recovery between seasons.
Ahead of the tournament, a global report highlighted the urgent need for players to be granted a proper off-season break of at least four weeks to recover both physically and mentally.
In a recent interview, a top manager expressed strong criticism of the expanded Club World Cup format. “The focus is no longer on the game itself but on everything surrounding it,” he said. “This is the worst idea ever introduced in football.”
He further criticized decision-makers for prioritizing commercial interests over player welfare, stating, “Those who no longer deal with the realities of football are the ones making these decisions. Yes, there’s huge money involved, but not every club benefits equally.”
The coach voiced serious concerns about the long-term consequences of this relentless schedule. “In the past year, it was one tournament after another—no real break. This pattern leaves players without adequate time to recover, and it’s only getting worse.”
He warned that the continued strain could lead to unprecedented injuries. “If not this season, then during the next major tournament. The human body has limits. You cannot expect players to go into every match as though it’s their last, 70 or more times a year.”
He stressed that unless proper breaks are introduced, player performances will decline, and the overall quality of the sport will suffer. “When players can’t deliver at their peak anymore, the entire product loses its value,” he concluded.
The tournament organizers have yet to respond to these concerns.
