Berlin, June 22: German football legend and Bayern Munich board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has voiced strong support for the newly expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, calling it a necessary evolution despite skepticism surrounding the tournament’s sporting value.
The 69-year-old former striker and European champion told Welt am Sonntag that the growth of the tournament was “inevitable” and praised FIFA president Gianni Infantino, as reported by Xinhua.
“As a player, I would be happy to experience something new,” said Rummenigge, who won the European Cup twice with Bayern Munich. “The tournament gains momentum when it reaches the knockout stage – that’s always the case with major competitions.”
Rummenigge also drew parallels with the recent revamp of the UEFA Champions League group stage, which had faced initial skepticism. “There was unprecedented excitement around the final matchdays,” he said, suggesting similar enthusiasm could develop for the Club World Cup.
Current Bayern coach Vincent Kompany echoed the sentiment after his side’s 2-1 win over Boca Juniors. “If you look past the revenue and consider the side benefits, this format is extremely interesting,” said the 39-year-old Belgian. “We’ve all experienced a lot in football, but this goes beyond. New horizons open.”
Kompany praised the intensity of the clash with the Argentinian outfit and noted the unique challenge for European teams playing against South American opposition. “The atmosphere against Boca Juniors was great,” he said. “It’s a valuable experience for the players.”
While much of the German media remains critical – particularly over reports of low attendance – sports magazine Kicker offered a more favorable view. In a recent commentary, the publication described the tournament as “a unique chance for smaller clubs from all continents to face elite teams,” and emphasized the value of international exchange and experience. (IANS)
