The FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup currently going on in the United States has reached the knockout stage

Waploaded takes a look at the impact the competition has on top European clubs like Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Manchester City who have reached the knockout stage.

Having risen from 7 teams to 32, the Club World Cup has received wide criticism over players’ welfare concerns, the period in which the competition is taking place, among others, with matches played in extreme temperatures.

Critics say the Club World Cup is solely there to boost FIFA’s finances, while the world football’s governing body argued the event is needed to build up to next summer’s World Cup, which will feature 48 countries and be held in 16 cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Waploaded reports that this is the first time that the revamped competition has been held immediately after the conclusion of the European season, a period in the international football calendar where players playing in Europe are supposed to be resting, having their summer holiday and recovery as clubs plan for the pre-season in July.

Several football managers and players, including the likes of Jurgen Klopp, Raphinha, Enzo Maresca, Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola have all in one way or other criticized the timing of the competition.