Aksel Kryhlmand
FIFA claimed that the event is drawing significant interest overall, with nearly 1.5 million tickets sold across the tournament
FIFA has issued a firm defence of the Club World Cup’s format and ticketing strategy after criticism mounted over visibly low attendances during group-stage matches in the United States, where the tournament is currently taking place.
Sparse Crowds Spark Concern
The clearest example came in Orlando, where only 3,412 fans attended the match between South Korea’s Ulsan HD and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, despite the venue’s much larger capacity. This contrasted starkly with the 22,317 spectators who turned up in Atlanta to watch Chelsea take on Los Angeles FC at the 71,000-capacity Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Despite this, FIFA claimed that the event is drawing significant interest overall, with nearly 1.5 million tickets sold across the tournament. The governing body pointed to a cumulative 340,000 attendees for the first eight matches, highlighting that several high-demand fixtures were still to come. A Paris Saint-Germain match in Pasadena reportedly drew over 80,000 fans, a standout figure among otherwise underwhelming numbers.
FIFA’s Response to Criticism
FIFA responded to questions about empty seats by emphasizing the tournament’s global reach and suggesting that interest will rise as it progresses to the knockout stages. The organisation reiterated its belief that the Club World Cup can showcase elite-level football from every continent.
However, not everyone is convinced.
Backlash from Domestic Leagues and Players
This expanded Club World Cup, now featuring 32 teams in a World Cup-style format, has faced pushback from leagues, clubs, and players’ unions. The lack of clear communication, fixture congestion, and its placement within an already saturated football calendar have prompted lawsuits and formal complaints against FIFA from various bodies.
Former England and Manchester City defender Danny Mills was among those unimpressed. Speaking to William Hill Vegas, Mills called the competition “pointless” and “a made-up tournament for FIFA to make money.” He argued that it offers little incentive or prestige for top-tier players:
There is no prestige in winning the competition whatsoever. It might be a nice day out for minnows like Auckland City FC, but for players from the top clubs… they’re not going to care if they won the Club World Cup or not.
Commercial Stakes Still High
Despite these concerns, the financial rewards are substantial. Premier League clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea stand to earn up to £100 million in prize money should they go all the way. Chelsea, in particular, are already guaranteed £50 million, offering a major boost to their transfer budget and future squad planning.