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Independent Singapore
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Independent Singapore
Is FIFA's Club World Cup flopping? Empty seats raise questions
FIFA has recently announced that the Club World Cup has sold close to 1.5 million tickets so far for the games. Spectators, however, are starting to notice that numerous stadiums had empty seats in some of the matches. This issue sparked a conversation on Reddit as one user asked if the Club World Cup is becoming a flop. The user wondered whether the competition is a 'good idea', given the half-empty stadiums and lack of fan interest — or if it might actually be 'bad publicity' for football. The user said, 'The Club World Cup may flop… Is soccer even popular in North America? The Club World Cup is compounded by political controversies surrounding the event. It seems disengaged audiences will diminish the competition's global appeal, failing to capture the excitement of football fans around the world and FIFA slashing Club World Cup ticket prices and offering free tickets to students and city workers due to low demand, just aiming at filling stadiums for tournaments, especially for television broadcasting.' Other Redditors commented on the post and expressed their opinions about this subject matter. One stated that the event should not have taken place in the United States, saying, 'America should not be hosting any football competitions. It would get more support if a South American country, a European country or even an African country. Americans aren't interested in football, and fans certainly don't want to travel to Trump's America. Too risky' Another commented about the location of the event. 'America is not exactly a top travel destination for foreigners anymore. Especially not from South America… Even if you aren't an immigrant, it's not exactly a safe travel destination.' Some commenters chimed in with their thoughts. One wrote, 'It's going to flop because it's another competition that nobody asked for. The previous format made it a lot more prestigious, but people are finally getting tired of FIFA's greed ruining the sport… It's no different to a preseason tour. Nobody cares about the results, and most of the fans are neutral.' Another added, 'I must say that I like the idea of a club World Cup but 32 teams is too many and the timing sucks.' See also Oil-rich Malaysian prince puts Valencia in his sights Another Redditor argued that the Club World Cup won't flop—not because of sporting merit, but due to its financial appeal. 'It won't flop because you've misjudged what it's designed to do. It's not designed to bring together the world's best teams. It's not designed to decide the best team in the world. It's not designed to bring a love of football to the USA. It's not designed to help America figure out how to run big sporting events,' they wrote. They added, 'Teams are taking part because there's a load of money in it. It might, potentially, knacker their pre-season preparations, but these clubs exist to make money rather than win trophies; winning trophies is simply a way of making money.' Despite these, FIFA declared that fans from over 130 countries have purchased Club World Cup tickets, and they are expecting more than 50,000 fans to attend the next couple of matches as the Cup continues.
CBS News
2 days ago
- Sport
- CBS News
FIFA Club World Cup in Philadelphia: Fans, soccer and smoke come to Lincoln Financial Field
Sports FIFA Club World Cup in Philadelphia: Fans, soccer and smoke come to Lincoln Financial Field Ayman Aref/NurPhoto via Getty Images Gerson of Flamengo battles for possession with Mohamed Amine Ben Hmida of Esperance De Tunis during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 USA Group D match between CR Flamengo and Esperance De Tunisie at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 16, 2025. CR Flamengo takes on Esperance Sportive de Tunis Ayman Aref/NurPhoto via Getty Images Giorgian De Arrascaeta of Flamengo celebrates with a teammate after scoring the first goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 USA Group D match between CR Flamengo and Esperance De Tunis at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, on June 16, 2025. Esperance Sportive de Tunis fans Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Esperance Sportive de Tunis fans celebrate before the 2025 Club World Cup match between CR Flamengo and ES Tunis on June 16, 2025, at Lincoln Financial Field. CR Flamengo takes on Esperance de Tunis Getty Images Bruno Henrique #27 of CR Flamengo goes up for a header during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between CR Flamengo and Esperance de Tunis at Lincoln Financial Field on June 16, 2025, in Philadelphia. CR Flamengo v Esperance de Tunis: Group D - FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Ayman Aref/NurPhoto via Getty Images Fans of Flamengo attend the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 USA Group D match between CR Flamengo and Esperance De Tunisie at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 16, 2025. CR Flamengo takes on Esperance de Tunis Ayman Aref/NurPhoto via Getty Images Giorgian De Arrascaeta of Flamengo celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between CR Flamengo and Esperance De Tunis at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, on June 16, 2025. CR Flamengo takes on Esperance de Tunis Ayman Aref/NurPhoto via Getty Images Giorgian De Arrascaeta of Flamengo celebrates with a teammate after scoring the first goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 USA Group D match between CR Flamengo and Esperance Sportive De Tunis at Lincoln Financial Field on June 16, 2025. Fans from around the world flock to Philadelphia for Club World Cup Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images A fan of Esperance Sportive de Tunis cheers for his team ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group D football match between Brazil's CR Flamengo and Tunis' Esperance Sportive de Tunis at the Lincoln Financial Field stadium on June 16, 2025. Manchester City FC vs. Wydad AC Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images WAC Casablanca's Moroccan midfielder #05 Ismail Moutaraji (R) attempts to score next to Manchester City's English midfielder #75 Nico O'Reilly during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group G football match between England's Manchester City and Morocco's Wydad AC in Philadelphia on June 18, 2025. Manchester City FC vs. Wydad AC Getty Images Fans of Wydad AC light smoke bombs inside Lincoln Financial Field, resulting in a stoppage in play during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group G match between Manchester City FC and Wydad AC on June 18, 2025, in Philadelphia. Manchester City FC vs. Wydad AC Emilee Chinn - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images Savinho #26 of Manchester City looks on as smoke blankets part of the crowd during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group G match between Manchester City FC and Wydad AC at Lincoln Financial Field on June 18, 2025. Wydad AC fans Getty Images Fans of Wydad AC set off smoke bombs inside Lincoln Financial Field, resulting in a stoppage in play during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group G match between Manchester City FC and Wydad AC on June 18, 2025. Manchester City FC vs. Wydad AC Getty Images Fans of Wydad AC cheer during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group G match between Manchester City FC and Wydad AC at Lincoln Financial Field on June 18, 2025, in Philadelphia. Manchester City FC vs. Wydad AC Getty Images The view inside Lincoln Financial Field during a stoppage in play due to smoke during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between Manchester City FC and Wydad AC on June 18, 2025. Manchester City FC vs. Wydad AC EurasiaWydad AC supporters show off their choreography during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group G match between Manchester City FC and Wydad AC at Lincoln Financial Field on June 18, 2025. Manchester City fans Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Manchester City fans cheer during the 2025 Club World Cup match between Manchester City and Wydad AC on June 18, 2025, at Lincoln Financial Field. Manchester City fans Emilee Chinn - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images Fans hold support Manchester City during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group G match between Manchester City FC and Wydad AC at Lincoln Financial Field on June 18, 2025. Animal-rights protester runs on the field EurasiaA young protester runs on the field during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between Manchester City FC and Wydad AC at Lincoln Financial Field on June 18, 2025, in Philadelphia. Animal-rights protester runs on the field EurasiaSecurity guards catch a protester during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group G match between Manchester City FC and Wydad AC at Lincoln Financial Field on June 18, 2025. Wydad AC fans Roger Wimmer/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images Wydad AC fans hold up a banner during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between Manchester City FC and Wydad AC on June 18, 2025, in Philadelphia. Manchester City FC vs. Wydad AC EurasiaIlkay Gundogan of Manchester City (R) plays against Mehdi Moubarik of Wydad AC (L) during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between Manchester City FC and Wydad AC at Lincoln Financial Field on June 18, 2025. Manchester City FC vs. Wydad AC Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Savinho #26 of Manchester City and Cassius Mailula #21 of Wydad AC during the FIFA Club World Cup Group G game on June 18, 2025, at Lincoln Financial Field.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Whatever the Club World Cup is, the world's passion for soccer will make it sing
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Some balked at the 'alarming' ticket prices. Others were scared off by ICE. Some were denied visas by U.S. consular officers. Others simply didn't care about the Club World Cup. And yet, when this strange new tournament lifted off at 8:06 p.m. here on Saturday, tens of thousands of Al Ahly fans were bouncing, bringing it to life. More than 60,000 people ultimately filled Hard Rock Stadium. The first arrived several hours earlier, possessed by excitement. They queued at entrances long before 5 p.m., when gates were scheduled to open. Hundreds packed into a narrow corridor, melting in 91-degree heat. Advertisement 'We're gonna pass out,' one woman told a security guard. Another in a hijab complained about the searing South Florida sun. But most sang. They jumped, and clapped, and sweat, and sang. A few waved Egyptian flags. Others whipped out phones to capture the revelry. Some had traveled from New York, others from nearby, others from Cairo. They came with massive banners and drums, with joy and passion, the type that soccer — or football, or kurat al-qadam, or whatever you call it — makes irrepressible. They came for a tournament that FIFA vastly overbaked and overhyped. As this inaugural Club World Cup approached in April, May and June, organizers became increasingly worried, and desperate to sell tickets. They slashed prices and concocted special deals. They offered five tickets for $20 to local college students, and freebies to veterans. Advertisement Their fears of empty seats, and a drab atmosphere, hounded the buildup to the tournament. Their missteps, clearly, were plentiful. But they were bailed out by the sport they govern. They banked on Lionel Messi igniting their grand venture, and attracting his disciples to the opener. What they seemingly missed was that the allure of the Club World Cup is not glitz and megastars; it's this organic, deep-rooted passion. It's whatever compels whole families to arrive at 4:15 for an 8 p.m. match; whatever compels sane men to chant like lovable maniacs. It's the communities and traditions and love that have grown around this sport over decades and decades, from the Middle East to Europe to South America and beyond. That's what brought tens of thousands of Al Ahly fans to South Florida to outnumber supporters of the local team that employs the greatest player ever. Advertisement That's what brought hundreds, if not thousands, of Palmeiras fans to Times Square the day before their first Club World Cup game Sunday at MetLife Stadium in North Jersey. That's what will drive, and in some ways save, this Club World Cup, from city to city and diaspora to diaspora. There will be some mostly empty stadiums, and some that close their upper decks due to lagging ticket sales, and some duds. FIFA's promotion (and pricing) of the tournament, at times misguided, at times arrogant, has largely failed in the host country. The Club World Cup, to many casual American fans, remains unknown or indistinguishable from the friendlies and preseason 'tournaments' that tour the States every summer. Advertisement And those casual American fans, unfortunately, are the ones to whom many aspects of the event have been tailored. At Saturday's opener, there was a forgettable pregame show; in-stadium hosts and DJs; and NBA-style, individualized player intros. There were fireworks and a flyover, all sorts of things that might, for some, accentuate the experience. But the Al Ahly fans in Section 304? They just wanted to sing. So they sang, and fans halfway across the stadium recognized the songs, and joined in. They bopped up and down, pulsing their arms, making noise that enlivened a 0-0 draw. And when there was a lull, in the upper deck behind one goal, some supporters of Boca Juniors — an Argentine club that plays here Monday — would randomly start up one of their songs. Advertisement 'Boca, my good friend,' they chanted in Spanish. 'I don't care what anybody says. I follow you everywhere. And every time I love you more.' All of this continued through 90 scoreless minutes. In the 90th, Al Ahly fans were still bouncing. Entire sections of them were standing for no apparent reason — other than, in a word, soccer. They had braved pregame gridlock and paid $40 for parking. Some had planned vacations that might be among the most expensive they'll ever take. They made themselves, not Messi, the stars of the opener, and reminded us all why the Club World Cup will, at least to some extent, be a success. Advertisement Or, at least, if you can get past your cynicism, it'll be fun. Not every stadium will come alive, but Saturday's atmosphere, Inter Miami midfielder Telasco Segovia said, 'was spectacular.'
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Inquiries say social media fueled violence after a Maccabi-Ajax soccer match
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Social media posts coupled with a lack of official information fueled the violence that followed a Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer match in Amsterdam last year, two inquiries into the events said in reports Monday. Dozens were arrested and five people were treated in hospital in a series of violent overnight incidents following a November match between the Dutch team Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
CNN
4 days ago
- Sport
- CNN
Four people handed suspended jail sentences over Vinícius Jr. effigy
Four people have been handed suspended jail sentences by a Madrid court after being found guilty of a hate crime related to an effigy of Real Madrid forward Vinícius Jr, Spain's LaLiga said in a statement on Monday. They were all involved in hanging a banner reading 'Madrid hates Real' and an inflatable black effigy in a replica of the Brazilian's No. 20 shirt on a bridge before a Copa del Rey match against Atlético Madrid in January 2023. According to the ruling, one defendant was sentenced to 15 months in prison for a hate crime and an additional seven months for making threats, having distributed images of the act online. The other three were sentenced to seven months in prison for hate crimes and seven months for threats. They will not serve prison time, however, after all four signed a letter of apology to Vinícius, Real Madrid, LaLiga and the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF). 'The defendant who posted the video online received a special disqualification from working in education, sports, or recreational youth settings for four years and three months, while the others received three years and seven months,' the LaLiga statement said. The first defendant was fined 1,084 euros ($1,250) and the other three 720 euros (roughly $834), with additional punishments including a 1,000-meter restraining order from Vinícius, his home and workplace, and a ban on approaching soccer stadiums during LaLiga or RFEF matches. They will all be required to participate in an educational program on equal treatment and non-discrimination in order for the prison sentences imposed to be suspended. There was no immediate confirmation from the court and no immediate reaction from Vinícius.
