It's time to take stock! The first edition of the FIFA Club World Cup new look ended this Sunday in New York at MetLife Stadium. Chelsea, winners of the 2021 Champions League, were crowned champions by thrashing Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning European champions (3-0). A gala match, enhanced by a halftime show provided by J Balvin, Doja Cat and Tems, to end on a spectacular note a tournament that has not always been so, despite what Gianni Infantino may say.
The glass half full
FIFA and its president have obviously turned the figures to their advantage. We had over 2,5 million people in the stadium. That's about 40.000 spectators per match. ", he trumpeted on Saturday, emphasizing " the excitement generated by the world's most inclusive club competition " Despite some nice wins like the 80.000 spectators reached for PSG-Atlético or the 70.000 present for Real Madrid-Pachuca, almost a third of the matches in the first phase (14 out of 48) were nevertheless played in front of fewer than 20.000 spectators.
In Cincinnati, only 8.000 people turned out to see Dortmund-Ulsan, and only 5.200 for Pachuca-Salzburg. The bottom was reached in Orlando, with an attendance of 3.400 spectators for the match between Ulsan and Mamelodi Sundowns. The crowd didn't flock to the stadium either with the start of the knockout matches: there were barely 20.000 in Charlotte for Inter-Fluminense and 25.000 for Benfica-Chelsea. Embarrassing a year before the "real" World Cup, to the point that FIFA has repositioned spectators in camera angles and at the edge of the pitch when it can. Although the public is not yet attached to this new competition, FIFA, which has touted this Club World Cup as an unmissable event, has certainly suffered a blow, as evidenced by the huge reductions in ticket prices and the number of places it had to offer.
Thunderstorms and fear of injury
FIFA has designed this tournament as a game changer, for the participating clubs, who were handsomely rewarded for their participation and performances, but also for the game as a whole, with innovations such as the wearing of body cameras by referees, offering viewers never-before-seen images. When it came to taking stock, however, these elements took a back seat. The weather and the risk of thunderstorms often spoiled the party, causing interruptions sometimes reaching two hours. Not ideal for the players and spectators, who had to wait, nor for the broadcasters, who hate above all when they don't have control of their broadcast. Criticisms about the relevance of the competition did not go unheeded as the tournament progressed either. Legendary Dortmund and Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp did not hold back. The Club World Cup is the worst idea ever implemented in football " he said to the Welt am Sonntag.
« Last year it was the Copa America and the European Championship, this year it's the Club World Cup, and next year it's the World Cup. This means there's no real recovery for the players involved, either physically or mentally., he warns, echoing the position of the French players' union. I'm very concerned that players will suffer injuries they've never had before next season. This can't continue. We need to ensure they get breaks. If they can no longer perform at a high level, the entire product loses its value. » Gianni Infantino has other concerns on his mind: "his" Club World Cup has been a big money maker – more than 2 billion dollars - and several countries have already expressed interest in organizing the next edition, in 2029 (Brazil, Qatar, Morocco, Spain). The players' vacations will still take second place.
