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Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has admitted his side will enter the upcoming Bundesliga campaign with “almost no preparation” due to their involvement in FIFA’s newly expanded Club World Cup this summer, though he also acknowledged there are some positives to be taken from the experience.
The tournament, taking place in the United States and concluding on 13 July, leaves little time for clubs to rest, recover, and prepare for the 2025-26 season. Despite the significant financial rewards on offer — with a total prize pool of $1 billion — Kompany underlined the challenges the congested schedule poses.
“There are two sides to the argument,” Kompany told reporters on Monday. “On one hand, it allows us to build team cohesion and spend valuable time together. It can speed up the integration of new players like Jonathan Tah and Tom Bischof, who have just joined us.”
However, the Belgian manager was quick to stress the major downside of having little time for a proper pre-season.
“The counter-argument is that we will have almost no preparation for the next season,” he said. “If you look at all the scientific research on how to best prepare for a new campaign, we’re essentially throwing the book away. We’ll be starting the new season with all the pressure of having to win every match, but without the usual pre-season conditioning.”
Kompany compared the Club World Cup setup to international tournaments such as the World Cup or European Championships, where squads are grouped together for extended periods. Yet, he noted, the club environment allows for more advanced work.
“It’s got its advantages, too. We’re able to focus on details, whereas national teams often only have time to cover the basics,” he explained. “It’s an interesting experience.”
Bayern, who began the competition in ruthless fashion with a 10-0 demolition of New Zealand’s Auckland City before narrowly defeating Argentina’s Boca Juniors 2-1, are set to face Benfica in Charlotte on Tuesday.
The Bundesliga champions have already secured their place in the next round but are looking to confirm top spot in Group C.
With a heatwave gripping large parts of the United States, Tuesday’s 3:00 pm local kick-off is expected to take place under intense sun.
“Of course, the heat will play a significant role tomorrow; it’s going to be very hot,” Kompany admitted. “It may influence the match, but it’s the same challenge for both teams, so it’s fair.”
