FIFA has defended its newly expanded club World Cup from criticism that players are being overworked, by pointing to the longevity of aging stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo .

Concerns were raised about players’ physical and mental health after world football’s governing body introduced a 32-team tournament to an increasingly congested calendar.

Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s chief of global football development, said that there have been “huge improvements on the welfare side” in areas such as nutrition, injury prevention and medical technology and that players are performing at the highest level for longer.

The first edition of the revamped Club World Cup will be held in the United States from June 15 to July 13, in 2025.