“This isn’t football”…Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca made it clear. Jurgen Klopp went further—calling it “the worst idea in the history of football.” Pep Guardiola warned, “Maybe the tournament will destroy us.”
And the French players’ union, UNFP, issued an urgent call to “stop this massacre.”

Chelsea’s frustration came after their match was delayed by two hours and it was
The sixth game of the tournament suspended due to summer thunderstorms in the U.S.  Alongside playing in temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius, players like Juventus’ Nicolo Savona have suffered serious injuries during the tournament.

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But extreme weather is only one among many controversies plaguing this revamped tournament. The season which began claiming to change football “for the better” had already endured an underwhelming start. FIFA relaunched the 2025 version, by expanding it from only seven to 32 teams, a move that has alarmed players’ associations, fearing mental and physical burnout.

Since 2024, footballers have endured three consecutive years of major international tournaments— during what used to be their off-season. And with just three weeks between this final and the start of domestic leagues, there’s barely time for rest or recovery.

Player unions like FIFPRO and the PFA have condemned the tournament outright, warning that it’s pushing players beyond safe limits. Meanwhile, despite all the hype—the crowds never came.
According to The Guardian, stadiums are averaging just 43% capacity. One first-round game filled only 13.6% of seats.

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Moreover, the Critics say this tournament was never about merit—it was about marketability.
one of the best example was the inclusion of Inter Miami, which guaranteed Lionel Messi’s presence. But with their exit, that commercial gimmick has already collapsed.