On December 22, more than 66.000 spectators packed into the stands of Hard Rock Stadium to watch the Miami Dolphins' final home game of the season. On Saturday, 60.000 spectators turned out for the opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup, between Inter Miami and Al Ahly. A great start, not necessarily expected, given the threat of a half-empty stadium loomed just hours earlier. Gianni Infantino, who has been touting the appeal of his new competition for months, is honored. Even if appearances can be deceptive.
A “Big Bang” that doesn’t convince
Just a few days ago, Gianni Infantino was playing the role of tournament salesman with grandiloquent statements. We're making history here in Miami. For the first time, the world's 32 best clubs will compete to finally determine who is the best. It's a Big Bang, exactly, and for us, a legendary competition deserves a legendary trophy. As you know, the prize money is US$1 billion. The winner can take home up to US$125 million, a very significant sum. But it's also about glory: etching your name, that of the winning club, and that of all the participating clubs, into the pages of history. »
The FIFA president assured at the same time that this World Cup aroused " a great expectation ", Yet thousands of seats remain unfilled for all matches, including those of European clubs like Real Madrid, which is one of the most internationally recognized brands. FIFA has even sold off tickets by reducing prices by 85% for certain matches, while offering extremely attractive deals for local students – up to five tickets for the full price of $20. These significant efforts explain the attendance at the opening match, but also reflect a gap between FIFA's expectations and the reality on the pitch. The body has also repositioned some spectators to bring them closer to the pitch and prevent empty sections from being seen on television.
The @FIFACWC is officially underway! 🙌
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 15, 2025
60,927 fans packed Hard Rock Stadium for the opening game between @AlAhly and @InterMiamiCF. Thank you for your incredible support! 👏#FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/fY4ZjJjTSN
The players' union's alert
FIFA is largely responsible for this uncomfortable situation. Beyond the prohibitive prices, the match times, chosen to maximize international audiences, don't necessarily help the local public: twelve first-round matches are scheduled for 12 p.m., and many others for 15 p.m. The American public also has other events, established for years, such as the summer tours of European clubs, as well as the much more enticing prospect of the 2026 World Cup.
The promise to bring together " the 32 best clubs in the world » will also not truly be held due to the qualification format in place. This World Cup will be played without the English champion (Liverpool), the Spanish champion (Barcelona) or the Italian champion (Napoli). On the other hand, Chelsea, fourth in the Premier League this season, is participating because of its victory in the Champions League… in 2021. Despite the money injected and the intensive communication from FIFA, who solicited several influencers, it is clear that in the eyes of the public, the Club World Cup is not as unmissable as FIFA keeps telling us.
The tournament looks more like a highly paid exhibition than a genuine sporting objective for teams that are coming in with their tongues hanging in their pockets (already 62 matches this season for Real Madrid, 58 for PSG, 57 for Chelsea). The players' union, FIFPRO, has also warned about the overloaded schedule and the risks to players' health. This is not really FIFA's priority, as it is focused on its "revolution" and its communication operations.
