What's happened
FIFA defends the expansion of the Club World Cup, citing improved player welfare due to technological advances.
Why it matters
The expansion of the Club World Cup and the defense by FIFA are significant as it addresses concerns about player welfare and the impact of an increasingly congested football calendar.
What the papers say
AP News reports FIFA's defense of the Club World Cup expansion, highlighting Arsene Wenger's comments on improved player welfare. The Times emphasizes the financial motivations behind the expansion of football tournaments. The Independent discusses Arsene Wenger's change in opinion, attributing it to advances in technology aiding player welfare.
How we got here
The Club World Cup is set to expand to a 32-team tournament in 2025, sparking concerns about player welfare amidst an already congested football calendar.
More on these topics
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FIFA is a non-profit organization which describes itself as an international governing body of association football, fútsal, beach soccer, and efootball. It is the highest governing body of football.
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Arsène Charles Ernest Wenger OBE is a French football manager and former player. He was the manager of Arsenal from 1996 to 2018, where he was the longest-serving and most successful in the club's history.
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The FIFA Club World Cup is an international men's association football competition organised by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, the sport's global governing body.