Pep Guardiola has expressed strong criticism of a new FIFA rule for the 2025 Club World Cup, questioning the practicality of mandating clubs to field their “strongest” teams. The rule aims to ensure top players like Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, and Harry Kane are present at the tournament in the United States.
Guardiola, already frustrated by the extended schedule adding an extra month to the season, openly challenged FIFA’s criteria for what defines a “strongest” team. He questioned how FIFA could determine which players are considered stronger than others, citing the complexities of form, fitness, and injuries.
“What is the strongest players? Which ones?” Guardiola asked. “Maybe the strongest player for them is in a really bad condition… I’m going to play other ones. I’m not going to [have them] say before the game which player to play. I will decide.”
Pep Guardiola on the banner organised by WeAre1894 asking him to stay at #ManCity: “They have to bring me the bill; I will pay for the banner! I don’t want them to spend money for that reason!”
Despite the rule change, Guardiola still intends to manage City at the Club World Cup, even though his contract expires mid-season. However, he firmly believes that team selection should remain within the manager’s discretion, free from outside in
fluence.
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