Latest news with #FIFAMen'sWorldCup
Business Insider
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Business Insider
Photos show how the FIFA Club World Cup is playing to half-empty stadiums
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup kicked off on June 14. If you didn't know it was happening, you're not alone. Photos show the tournament, which is being held in US stadiums, has been poorly attended thus far. From June 14 to July 13, some of the best soccer teams in the world will be playing each other across the US in the 21st FIFA Club World Cup. If you're thinking, "Wait, isn't the World Cup in 2026? What's the Club World Cup?" you're right to be confused. The FIFA Men's World Cup is in 2026 and will be played in stadiums across the US, Mexico, and Canada by teams representing entire nations, similar to the Olympics. The Club World Cup, revamped this year to compete with other popular tournaments like the typical World Cup, the Champions League, and the Euros, features clubs from across the world instead of countries. It'd be like if the Dodgers played the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. Unfortunately for these world-class players, some of the stadiums for the first round of the tournament have been less than packed. The BBC reported that during the opening round of the tournament, there were 979,373 available seats across the first 16 games. Of those, 556,369 were filled, leaving 423,004 seats empty. The Guardian puts average attendance at 43% capacity. One first-round game was filled to just 13.6% capacity. The Ringer said there's been "no tangible momentum or excitement" for the tournament, held just a year before the better-known World Cup. Some of the teams don't have huge fan bases outside of their local markets, since they don't typically play on a world stage. Other potential reasons for low attendance could include the time of the games — many have been held in the middle of the workday — and soaring temperatures. Ticket prices don't appear to be the problem. Late Friday, June 20, tickets were available in almost every section for the June 21 game at MetLife Stadium. Prices start at $31.79, with tickets in the seventh row from $66. The Athletic reported before the 2025 competition kicked off that students were being offered a five-for-$20 deal for games — essentially $4 a ticket. That's not to say all the games have been poorly attended. The most-attended game of the first round, per Inside FIFA, was the June 15 match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Atlético Madrid at the Rose Bowl, with 80,619 people in attendance. (That left almost 10,000 empty seats.) FIFA has not responded to a request for comment from Business Insider regarding the low attendance thus far. Here are 16 photos showing how the stands have looked during the first stage of the Club World Cup. At the first match, held at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium on June 14 between Egypt's Al-Ahly and Inter Miami FC, there were plenty of empty seats. The next day, Brazil's SE Palmeiras played Portugal's FC Porto at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The lower stands were full, but the seats up top were almost empty. Across the country in Seattle, things were not faring much better at the Seattle Sounders match against Botafogo of Brazil. This photo of Chelsea fans at the June 16 match against Los Angeles FC in Atlanta looks like the "Ted Lasso" intro. Here's a wider view of the game, showing some filled seats but lots of empty ones. The stadium holds 70,000 people. Attendance was 22,137. On June 17, Fluminense FC (Brazil) and Borussia Dortmund (Germany) faced off at a half-empty MetLife Stadium. West Coast games weren't faring any better. We feel for this lone fan at the Monterrey/Inter Milan game at the Rose Bowl on June 17. Per the BBC, the lowest-attended match, though, was on June 17 in Orlando's Inter & Co. Stadium. In the stands were 3,412 fans, who were there to watch South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns FC play South Korea's Ulsan HD. That's 13.6% of the stands' capacity. On June 18, sections were empty at the match between Manchester City FC and Wydad AC, a Moroccan team, at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field. Down the coast, many seats were available at a match between Real Madrid CF and Al-Hilal Saudi FC at Hard Rock Stadium. There were 5,282 fans at this game between CF Pachuca (Mexico) and FC Salzburg (Austria) in Cincinnati. That's 20% capacity. Source: BBC Not even Lionel Messi was a big enough draw to pack the stands at Inter Miami's match against FC Porto in Atlanta.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Atlanta's FIFA Club World Cup matches kick off this week
The FIFA Club World Cup takes over Atlanta starting on Monday. There will be six matches over the next three weeks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium featuring some of the biggest soccer clubs in the world. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Atlanta officials expect to draw thousands to the matches and use the FIFA Club World Cup as a trial run for the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup. Advertisement Atlanta's World Cup Hosting Committee gave an update on its readiness last week. Chair Dan Corso thinks Atlanta is moving forward parking with soccer's international governing body. 'I mean, we are a big event city. We know how to work together. We know how to make things happen. But we also know that we're ready because we get great feedback from FIFA,' Corso said. FIFA Club World Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium June 16, Group D: Chelsea vs. LAFC, 3 p.m. June 19, Group A: Inter Miami vs. Porto, 3 p.m. June 22, Group G:Manchester City vs. Al Ain, 9 p.m. June 29, Group B winner vs. Group A runner-up, Noon July 1, Group F winner vs. Group E runner-up 9 p.m. July 5, Winner match 51 v Winner match 52, Noon You can click here to see tickets for each game. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Fox Sports
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox Sports
Shaboozey and Miami's Largest Ever Drone Show Shine Bright at FOX Sports' 2026 World Cup Countdown Party
FOX held a spectacular event to celebrate being one year out from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami's South Beach on Friday night. The party was headlined by a performance from country artist Shaboozey and the largest drone show in Miami history. The drones flew through the air and created a number of formations, while the artist performed two songs -- including his hit "A Bar Song (Tipsy)." Here are the best shots: With Shaboozey hyping up the crowd, the drones formed the letters "USA" along with some stars and red, white, and blue lining. The drones then aligned to create the tournament's official logo for 2026. A silhouette of the trophy outlined by brightly-lit and dazzling drones. And finally, the coveted FIFA World Cup trophy illuminating the sky above South Beach, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino taking in the sights and sounds. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from FIFA Men's World Cup Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Fox Sports
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox Sports
IShowSpeed Predicts Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal Will Win The 2026 World Cup
Is 2026 the year Cristiano Ronaldo finally wins the World Cup? That's what YouTube star and content creator IShowSpeed thinks. "Speed" made an appearance at FOX's one-year out from the 2026 FIFA World Cup event in Miami on Saturday. FOX Sports' Clarissa Thompson interviewed him, asking him questions about his excitement that North America will host the World Cup, which games he plans to attend, and who he thinks will bring home the trophy. Smiling ear to ear, Speed seemed like he wanted to fast-forward through next year as quickly as possible. "It's that time," he said. "The World Cup is here. It's that time." He's already made plans to be at as many games as possible. "The World Cup is in America, right? So, I can be anywhere," Speed said. "Obviously, I'm pulling up to every game, every Portugal game." Speed's fandom for Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo is public knowledge. He even sported his jersey in the Dick's sporting goods ad he's featured in. Now, he'll be able to watch his idol in person, in his home country. And, better yet, Speed's confident Ronaldo and Portugal will win the whole thing. "I truly believe that Cristiano Ronaldo is going to win the 2026 World Cup," Speed said. "Y'all heard it from me, IShowSpeed. Ronaldo is winning the 2026 World Cup. He just won the Nations League. That's just an appetizer; the World Cup is the real meal, and they've got it. Portugal's squad is looking good." Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from FIFA Men's World Cup Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Fox Sports
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox Sports
FIFA legends Marcelo, Kaká celebrate 1-year countdown to the 2026 World Cup
To celebrate the one-year out mark from the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, FOX is hosting a star-studded event in Miami. It's a look ahead to what's to come as North America prepares to host the greatest international soccer tournament. In attendance at the event were a host of FIFA legends and greats. Brazil's Marcelo and Kaka joined the festivities, as well as Italy's Alessandro Del Piero and Portugal's Pepe. During the party, Kaka was reunited with the World Cup trophy he won with Brazil in 2002, bringing onto the main stage. As FOX Sports analyst Stu Holden noted, only players who have won the trophy are allowed to handle it. Many other celebrities and icons of soccer took to Miami to enjoy the exciting festivities, which included a musical performance by country superstar Shaboozey. Kaka and Del Piero reminisced on their experiences of playing in the FIFA World Cup. Kaka helped Brazil win the trophy in 2002, while Del Piero lifted Italy to a World Cup victory in 2006. Portugese legend Pepe was also in attendance on Friday night. While he hasn't won a World Cup, he won three UEFA Champions League trophies with Real Madrid. Marcelo, who was teammates with Pepe at Real Madrid, and won five UEFA Champions League trophies, showed up basking in swagger. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! Get more from FIFA Men's World Cup Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
