In a tournament defined as much by controversy as competition, Chelsea emerged as the unexpected champions of the expanded Club World Cup, overcoming European giants and logistical chaos to claim a surprise title—despite finishing fourth in the Premier League last season.
The reimagined 32-team competition, held across the United States, concluded with Chelsea defeating Paris Saint-Germain 2–0 in a sparsely attended final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. The win, which Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca hailed as a potential turning point in club football—claiming the tournament could soon surpass the Champions League in prestige—was overshadowed by glaring issues that may haunt FIFA as it gears up to host the 48-nation World Cup next year.
Perhaps most concerning was the staggering drop in ticket prices. With large sections of seats unfilled and public enthusiasm waning, FIFA slashed prices in real time to fill stadiums. Tickets for the Chelsea–Fluminense semi-final were dropped from USD $473.90 to just $13.40, and final match prices fell from $330 to $199.60. Despite these dramatic cuts, only 2.49 million fans attended the 63-match tournament—about 62% of total listed capacity. FIFA refused to disclose stadium capacities or comment on the discounts, drawing criticism for its lack of transparency.
The low turnout has raised urgent questions about FIFA’s pricing strategy for the 2026 World Cup, where 104 matches—many on weekday afternoons—may face similar challenges in fan engagement. While FIFA president Gianni Infantino called the tournament “already the most successful club competition in the world,” players, coaches, and critics offered a more sobering view.
Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp slammed the event as “the worst idea ever implemented in football,” citing the unsustainable physical demands on players. PSG and Chelsea each played over 64 matches this season and now face as few as 33 days off before the next campaign begins. Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola admitted the true cost might not be clear until midway through next season, suggesting players could be “exhausted” or “destroyed” by the schedule.
The match conditions also came under fire. Maresca described the intense heat as “dangerous,” while Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovač criticised the MetLife Stadium surface, calling it more suitable for “putting in golf” than playing world-class football. Ironically, this same venue is slated to host the 2026 World Cup final.
The tournament’s credibility took further hits when five reigning national champions—including Liverpool (England), Barcelona (Spain), Napoli (Italy), Sporting Lisbon (Portugal), and Sturm Graz (Austria)—were absent from the European contingent. In contrast, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, despite never winning Major League Soccer, received an invitation and advanced to the Round of 16, delivering MLS’s first-ever competitive win over European opposition by beating Porto.
Elsewhere, Brazilian clubs performed strongly, with all four advancing to the knockout stages. Fluminense reached the semi-finals and Botafogo shocked PSG in the group phase. Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal stunned fans by eliminating Manchester City en route to the quarter-finals.
However, not all teams impressed. New Zealand’s Auckland City suffered a brutal 10-0 defeat to Bayern Munich, and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns drew a mere 3,412 spectators for their clash with South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai. Meanwhile, Germany and Bayern’s rising star Jamal Musiala sustained a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle—casting further doubt on the tournament’s scheduling and player welfare.
Despite occasional moments of magic—particularly from Messi—few matches left a lasting legacy. Attendance woes, aggressive scheduling, tepid atmospheres, and a surface unfit for top-flight play clouded the event’s ambition of global expansion and influence.
With the 2026 World Cup fast approaching, FIFA may be forced to rethink not only its format and calendar but its philosophy. For now, the Club World Cup leaves behind a legacy of both opportunity and unease.
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