Arsenal Legend Arsene Wenger Defends FIFA's Decision To Expand Club World Cup
Legendary former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has defended FIFA's decision to expand the Club World Cup.
Between six and eight teams have competed in each edition of the tournament since it was launched in 2000.
But the 2025 Club World Cup will feature 32 teams - 19 of which are already known.
The Club World Cup will be played every four years, rather than annually.
However, its expansion has still been widely criticized due to the potential stress it will put on players who already have to deal with a congested soccer schedule.
But Wenger - who is FIFA's chief of global football development - believes that an expanded Club World Cup will have a hugely "positive impact".
Arsene Wenger, FIFA's chief of global football development, pictured in August
IMAGO/AAP/Dan Himbrechts
Wenger explained, as quoted by BBC Sport: "The positive impact this will have on clubs is going to be huge, because it will increase resources for clubs all over the world to develop and to compete.
"In Europe we are lucky, but it's important that we make football really global and this creates a chance for other clubs to progress. It will give more opportunities to more players all over the world to compete at the highest level.
"I accept that the football calendar is a busy one, but this is a competition that is going to take place every four years and of course the rest period during the competition and afterwards has to be respected."
Wenger is the longest-serving manager in the history of Arsenal, having been in charge of the Premier League club for nearly 22 years between October 1996 and May 2018.
Arsenal can only qualify for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup by winning the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League.
