My issue isn't with the tournament itself, it's generally about the amount of football being played & player welfare.
Holding a CWC every 4 years in an expanded tournament makes far more sense than it being held annually in the middle of the night, in the middle of the season.
As long as ample time is given for players to rest after the season & after the tournament, I'm fine with it. I think the spotlight must be shone on the 4 international breaks we have to endure.
It'd be better if the September, November & March international breaks, were rolled into one at the end of the regular season. This would mean the season could end in March including a 2 week winter break.
April - Mid May could be given over to shit international qualifiers, which would mean all players getting 4-6 weeks rest before reporting for pre-season in July.
If the CWC were to then take place throughout July with a 2 week gap between the end of the tournament & the beginning of the regular season, I doubt the governing bodies would be facing such stiff resistance over the amount of top class football, the players are expected to participate in.
As an aside, Pep says KDB isn't available for tomorrow's game against Fulham, & he can't be expected to play for Belgium after being out injured. Interestingly, he said Kev hasn't mentioned international retirement to him. Why the likes of KDB & Walker are persisting with international football at their age, boggles the mind...