FIFA Club World Cup group stage sees lack of fans attending games across USA
The FIFA Club World Cup now advances to the round of 16, showcasing a diverse array of teams from 10 different countries. The group stage, held across the USA, saw a lower-than-expected turnout of fans at the 48 matches.
According to the Associated Press, there have been one million empty seats during the group stage of the tournament, even though the world's top clubs are participating. This is despite FIFA claiming it has sold about 1.5 million tickets for the group stage. The organization says fans from more than 130 countries have purchased Club World Cup tickets, with a majority of the sales coming from the United States.
This has sparked curiosity about how the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in North America next year, will turn out.
"FIFA is proud of the unique and multicultural atmosphere and support this new competition has already generated – and thanks every fan who has brought their voice, passion, and presence as the FIFA Club World Cup continues to grow into the undisputed pinnacle of global club football," FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement.
The Round of 16 teams include Fluminense, Al Hilal, Inter Miami CF, Monterrey, Palmeiras, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Chelsea, Benfica, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Botafogo, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Flamengo, and Manchester City. The Round of 16 kicks off on Saturday, June 28.
FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 schedule
All times Eastern.
Saturday, June 28
Sunday, June 29
Monday, June 30
Tuesday, July 1
How to watch the FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16?
All rounds of the 16 matches of the Club World Cup will be available for free streaming on DAZN, and select games will also be broadcast in English on TNT.
Univision, TUDN, and ViX will all carry games in the U.S. in Spanish.
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