Club World Cup Faces Scrutiny as FIFA Launches Expanded Edition in US

How Seriously Are People Taking the Club World Cup?

FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup kicks off in Miami at 01:00 BST on Sunday, but enthusiasm remains mixed. With 32 teams competing and a $1bn prize fund, the stakes are high—but the atmosphere is low-key, ticket sales are slow, and concerns over player welfare and fixture congestion persist.

Infantino Defends Ticket Prices Amid Slow Sales

Despite the star power of Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, empty seats may be hard to avoid. Dynamic pricing has seen some ticket prices fall from £257 to £48, and reports suggest free-ticket bundles were offered to college students.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino brushed off criticism, stating:

“It’s historic… They criticise if prices are high, and then if they’re too low.”

Sales for matches like Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal and PSG vs Atletico Madrid are stronger, but there are available tickets for every fixture, with some as cheap as £25.

Mixed Signals from Players and Clubs

Top clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain have brought full-strength squads, showing competitive intent. Enzo Fernandez, Sergio Ramos, and Harry Kane have spoken positively about the tournament, calling it a global stage for clubs.

But former players like Jamie Carragher have slammed the competition, saying there’s “no appetite” for it among players, clubs, or fans.

Muted Miami: A Soft Start for FIFA’s Mega Project

Miami, where Messi now plays, surprisingly shows little fanfare. Streets lack branding, and Messi jerseys are rare—Boca Juniors shirts are more visible than Inter Miami ones. The city appears unmoved, even with the opening game imminent.

Former US coach Jurgen Klinsmann believes Americans will “cherry-pick games”, drawn more by marquee matchups than the tournament as a whole.

Scheduling and Player Welfare Concerns Remain

The tournament’s placement in the calendar—just 24 days after most European leagues conclude—has sparked outrage from players’ unions and league officials.

• La Liga President Javier Tebas labelled it “absurd”

• FIFPRO accused FIFA of “abuse of dominance”

• Players like Rodri and Manuel Akanji worry about burnout

FIFA insists the tournament does not worsen congestion, noting it replaces the Confederations Cup, is held once every four years, and involves only seven matches for finalists.

Is It All Just a Cash Grab?

Money looms large. European clubs stand to gain up to £97m, while teams like the Seattle Sounders protested with warm-up shirts reading “Club World Ca$h Grab”.

Still, FIFA claims the event is “inclusive” and aims to “grow the game globally.” It points to player support funds, injury protections, and solidarity payments as proof of care.

Yet criticisms persist, with many unconvinced the competition offers genuine development or excitement outside FIFA’s bottom line.

Conclusion: A Tournament in Need of Belief

Despite its size, star names, and huge prize pot, the Club World Cup still feels more like a commercial experiment than a beloved global football celebration. It now hinges on whether on-pitch drama, possibly inspired by Messi, can ignite wider fan interest.

If not, FIFA may face even louder questions about the tournament’s purpose and long-term viability.