14.06.2026 05:10
German head coach Jürgen Klopp criticized FIFA, stating that the water break implemented during the 2026 FIFA World Cup was for advertising purposes.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly organized by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, remains in the spotlight not only for the competitions on the field but also for the controversies off it. The latest figure to raise his voice against the new practices in the tournament is German coach Jürgen Klopp. The experienced manager harshly criticized the new rules implemented by FIFA.
''THE GOAL IS NOT TO PROTECT PLAYERS, BUT TO CREATE ADVERTISING SPACE''
Stating that he does not believe the official explanations that water breaks during matches are intended to "protect player health," Klopp argued that the other side of the coin is very different. According to the German coach, these breaks are merely a facade fabricated to create extra time for commercial advertisements.
''FOOTBALL IS HELD HOSTAGE BY OFFICIALS IN AIR-CONDITIONED OFFICES''
In exclusive statements to the German broadcaster ZDF, Klopp summarized the state of industrial football with the words, "Football is virtually held hostage by executives sitting in comfortable, air-conditioned offices. What is being done here is not a shield built to protect players, but a golden cage designed in line with the interests of sponsors."
"WHO DOES THIS WORLD CUP SERVE?"
Emphasizing that commercial concerns in World Cup organizations have overshadowed the pure values of sport and the game, the experienced coach stated, "Who does this World Cup really serve? The fans? The players sweating on the field? Or the billion-dollar advertisers?"
''WE ARE BUILDING ARTIFICIAL DAMS''
Expressing that inserting advertisements between matches undermines the natural flow of the game, Klopp voiced his reaction by saying, "A World Cup match should flow like a roaring river, uninterrupted. But we are building artificial dams in front of this river just to squeeze in advertisements."