Chelsea kicked off their journey at the expanded FIFA Club World Cup with a stark visual: thousands of empty seats at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for their 2-0 victory over Los Angeles FC.
The announced attendance of just 22,137 in the 71,000-capacity arena has ignited concerns about fan apathy and potential implications for the 2026 World Cup.
The 3 PM local time kickoff on a Monday and high ticket prices were cited as key reasons for the sparse crowd.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca noted the “strange”, “almost empty” environment.
Critics, including BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty, called the turnout an “early embarrassment for FIFA,” suggesting it highlighted long-held fears about the tournament’s ability to capture public imagination in an already crowded football calendar.
American journalists also pointed to FIFA’s lack of local marketing.
While some other Club World Cup matches have seen better attendances, the stark images from Atlanta serve as a warning to FIFA regarding realistic ticket pricing and scheduling for the 2026 World Cup.
