Chelsea's Club World Cup Opener Adds to FIFA's Worries

Chelsea vs Los Angeles FC attendance exposed a reoccruring headache for FIFA at the Club World Cup.

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Chelsea vs Los Angeles FC attendance exposed a reoccruring headache for FIFA at the Club World Cup.

Chelsea's Club World Cup Opener Adds to FIFA's Worries

Stephen Awino 08:49 - 17.06.2025

FIFA is facing an attendance headache with Chelsea's Club World Cup Opener among affected clashes.

Chelsea began their FIFA Club World Cup campaign against Los Angeles FC in front of a noticeably small crowd at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Monday afternoon kickoff, scheduled during a typical workday, saw only 22,137 fans in attendance, a stark contrast to the venue's 71,000 capacity. While the entire upper tier was closed, vast swathes of empty seats were visible in the lower levels.

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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca acknowledged the unusual atmosphere, stating, "It was a bit strange, the stadium was almost empty."

"But we're professionals. We have to adapt to any situation, any environment." he added.

Pre-match estimates from sources close to FIFA had predicted a crowd of around 26,000.

Despite the low turnout, LAFC's 150 traveling supporters made their presence felt, often out-singing the more numerous Chelsea fans.

The Blues' faithful were most vocal during goals, Liam Delap's debut, and contentious refereeing decisions.

This expanded Club World Cup serves as a test run for next summer's World Cup, hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Slow ticket sales have raised concerns about public interest in the revamped tournament, particularly for weekday matches scheduled during working hours.

Two years prior, Chelsea nearly filled the same stadium for a friendly against Newcastle.

The venue, home to MLS side Atlanta United, boasts an average attendance of 44,037 and regularly hosts US national team matches.

The low turnout for the Club World Cup fixture begs the question: is this a reflection of apathy towards the competition, or a potential harbinger of similar issues for the 2026 World Cup?

Jonathan Tannenwald, chief soccer correspondent for the Philadelphia Inquirer, placed the blame on FIFA's marketing efforts.

He argued that FIFA needed to actively promote the tournament to a local audience and explain its significance.

LAFC manager Steve Cherundolo offered a measured perspective, suggesting it was too early to draw conclusions about overall interest in the tournament.

He pointed to the strong attendance for a pre-tournament friendly between PSG and Atletico Madrid in Los Angeles.

While some matches have seen healthier crowds, including over 60,000 for the opening game and over 80,000 for PSG vs. Atletico Madrid, many games still have thousands of tickets available.

The dynamic pricing model, with prices fluctuating based on demand, has not prevented numerous tickets from remaining unsold.