Fans from Over 130 Countries Purchase Tickets for Expanded Tournament Across the US
According to FIFA, fans from more than 130 countries have purchased nearly 1.5 million tickets for the newly expanded Club World Cup, which kicked off last weekend across the United States.
Highlights of the Tournament So Far
- Opening Match: Over 60,000 spectators attended the inaugural match on Saturday at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, where Inter Miami, featuring Lionel Messi, played.
- Second Match: Approximately 80,000 fans were present at the Rose Bowl on Sunday to witness Paris Saint-Germain’s 4-0 victory over Atlético Madrid.
Mixed Attendance Across Matches
However, some matches have seen low attendance, such as the goalless draw between Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense on Tuesday at the partially filled MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Chelsea’s head coach, Enzo Maresca, described the atmosphere during his team’s match against Los Angeles FC as “a bit strange,” with just over 22,000 fans attending the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, which has a capacity of 71,000.
Key Figures and Context
The FIFA Club World Cup is an annual tournament that determines the best football club in the world. This year, it has been expanded and moved to the United States, featuring eight teams from six different continents.
The participating clubs are:
- Egypt’s Al-Mokawloon (defending champions)
- Qatar’s Al-Duhail
- Australia’s Adelaide United
- Japan’s Kashima Antlers
- South American champions (either Colombia’s América de Cali or Brazil’s Flamengo)
- Chelsea (English champions)
- Los Angeles FC (North American champions)
Impact on Fans and the Sport
The expanded format allows fans from around the globe to support their favorite teams in person, with many traveling long distances to attend matches. The high ticket sales reflect the global appeal of the sport and the excitement surrounding this unique Club World Cup edition.
However, some matches have experienced lower-than-expected attendance, possibly due to factors like scheduling conflicts, travel distances for opposing teams’ supporters, or even the ongoing global pandemic.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: How many countries have fans attending the tournament? A: Fans from over 130 countries have purchased tickets.
- Q: How many tickets have been sold so far? A: Nearly 1.5 million tickets have been sold.
- Q: What are some notable attendance figures for the matches? A: Over 60,000 attended the opening match in Miami, and around 80,000 were present for PSG vs. Atlético Madrid.
- Q: Which matches had lower attendance? A: The Dortmund vs. Fluminense match and Chelsea vs. LAFC had relatively low attendance.
