{"id":10215,"date":"2025-06-23T06:53:36","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T06:53:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/?p=10215"},"modified":"2025-06-23T06:53:40","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T06:53:40","slug":"fans-the-club-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/fans-the-club-world-cup","title":{"rendered":"Are fans enjoying the Club World Cup?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Miami\u2019s Hard Rock Stadium was pulsing with 60,000 souls as star attraction <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/lionel-messi-874\">Lionel Messi<\/a> curled in a free-kick. On the same week, Boca Juniors fans turned stands into a carnival of blue and yellow. Across the country, in Pasadena\u2019s Rose Bowl, 80,000 pack in to see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/psg-480\">Paris Saint-Germain<\/a> dismantle <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/atletico-madrid-134\">Atl\u00e9tico Madrid<\/a>. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/club-world-cup-5096\">FIFA Club World Cup 2025<\/a>, sprawling across 11 U.S. cities, promised a global soccer fiesta. But a week into this revamped 32-team tournament, the question lingers: Are fans actually having fun? From electric atmospheres to sweltering heat and empty seats, the mood is a mixed bag of passion, frustration, and untapped potential. Let\u2019s dive into the highs, lows, and everything in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Club World Cup &#8211; the test show for the World Cup 2026<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#south-american-fans-are-stealing-the-show\">South American Fans Are Stealing the Show<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#the-heat-is-testing-everyones-mettle\">The Heat Is Testing Everyone\u2019s Mettle<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#empty-seats-tell-a-complicated-story\">Empty Seats Tell a Complicated Story<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#tech-and-messi-are-keeping-things-fresh\">Tech and Messi Are Keeping Things Fresh<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#fan-zones-are-where-the-partys-at\">Fan Zones Are Where the Party\u2019s At<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#so-are-fans-enjoying-it\">So, Are Fans Enjoying It?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"south-american-fans-are-stealing-the-show\">South American Fans Are Stealing the Show<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to know what pure, unfiltered joy looks like, follow the South American supporters. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/boca-juniors-866\">Boca Juniors<\/a> fans have turned Miami into an extension of La Bombonera, their legendary Buenos Aires stadium. Chanting \u201cDale, Dale Bo,\u201d they\u2019ve brought drums, flags, and synchronized jumping that makes the media box shake. In New York, Brazilian fans decked out in Palmeiras green and Flamengo red have created raucous, samba-fueled scenes. These supporters aren\u2019t just watching soccer; they\u2019re living it, transforming NFL-sized stadiums into cauldrons of South American fervor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"560\"><p lang=\"es\" dir=\"ltr\">La m\u00e1s grande del mundo \ud83c\udf0e\ud83d\udc99\ud83d\udc9b\ud83d\udc99<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FIFACWC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@FIFACWC<\/a> | June 14 &#8211; July 13 | Every Game | Free | <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/10srEQXBcn\">https:\/\/t.co\/10srEQXBcn<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/FIFACWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FIFACWC<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/TakeltToTheWorld?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#TakeltToTheWorld<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/p1beSdplRJ\">pic.twitter.com\/p1beSdplRJ<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Boca Juniors (@BocaJrsOficial) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BocaJrsOficial\/status\/1936510392114741394?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 21, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>The numbers back up their impact. FIFA reports nearly 1.5 million tickets sold to fans from over 130 countries, with South American contingents driving much of the early buzz. At Hard Rock Stadium, Boca\u2019s match against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/bayern-munich-331\">Bayern Munich<\/a> felt like a cultural takeover, with yellow banners draped over railings meant to honor Miami Dolphins legends. In Philadelphia, 35,000 showed up for Flamengo versus Esperance de Tunis, a turnout that would make some Premier League clubs jealous. For these fans, the Club World Cup isn\u2019t just a tournament\u2014it\u2019s a pilgrimage, a chance to wave their flags on a global stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-2220806111-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 18: General view inside the stadium  prior to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group H match between CF Pachuca and FC Salzburg at TQL Stadium on June 18, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. \" class=\"wp-image-10224\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by Michael Reaves\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-heat-is-testing-everyones-mettle\">The Heat Is Testing Everyone\u2019s Mettle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Not every moment has been a party, though. The California sun has been a relentless opponent, especially at the Rose Bowl, where PSG\u2019s noon kickoff against Atl\u00e9tico Madrid saw temperatures hit 88\u00b0F. Fans described the experience as \u201cdangerous,\u201d struggling to find water after being forced to ditch full bottles at entry. One supporter recounted 45-minute lines for overpriced H2O, while others swarmed misting stations like they were oases. The stadium\u2019s usual policy of allowing sealed bottles was overridden by FIFA\u2019s stricter rules, leaving fans parched and sunburned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Players felt the burn too. Atl\u00e9tico\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/marcos-llorente-12744\">Marcos Llorente<\/a> didn\u2019t mince words, saying the heat made his toes and even his toenails ache. European teams, used to milder climates, have looked sluggish in early games, adapting to midday kickoffs that cater to global TV audiences but punish those in the stands. While cooler-than-expected weather in New York has spared some fans, the Pasadena debacle has sparked online rants. For all the talk of fan zones and cultural exchange, hydration and shade are non-negotiable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-2220158164-1024x660.jpg\" alt=\"IRVINE, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 14: Desire Doue of Paris Saint-Germain FC in action during the Training\/Press Conference ahead of their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Atletico de Madrid at University of California Irvine on June 14, 2025 in Irvine, California. \" class=\"wp-image-10219\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by Stu Forster\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"empty-seats-tell-a-complicated-story\">Empty Seats Tell a Complicated Story<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Zoom out to the bigger picture, and the optics aren\u2019t always flattering. Social media is littered with photos of half-empty stadiums, especially for matches involving lesser-known clubs. Orlando\u2019s Inter &amp; Co Stadium, capacity 25,510, hosted a Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Ulsan HD game with just 3,142 fans\u2014a turnout so sparse it became a talking point. Chelsea\u2019s opener against LAFC at Atlanta\u2019s Mercedes-Benz Stadium drew 22,666 in a venue that holds 71,300. Manager Enzo Maresca called the atmosphere \u201ca bit strange,\u201d and he wasn\u2019t wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>FIFA\u2019s pricing strategy hasn\u2019t helped. Initial ticket costs were steep\u2014$349 for Inter Miami\u2019s opener in December, $100-$200 for group games, alienating casual fans. After sluggish sales, FIFA slashed prices and rolled out promotions, like Miami Dade College\u2019s buy-one-get-four-free deal, dropping the per-ticket cost to $4 for Messi\u2019s game. The result? Stadiums averaged 55% capacity, with a median of 45%. These massive NFL venues, built for gridiron epics, can make even 40,000 fans look like a trickle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But raw numbers miss the vibe. Fluminense\u2019s 0-0 draw with Borussia Dortmund at MetLife Stadium wasn\u2019t a sellout, but the Brazilian fans were \u201cloud and boisterous,\u201d per reports. The 40,311 who braved Pasadena\u2019s traffic for Monterrey vs. Inter showed up with passion. FIFA\u2019s promise of sellouts was naive, but the enthusiasm of those present suggests the tournament\u2019s heart is beating, even if the stands aren\u2019t always full.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\r\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">When the game doesn&#8217;t stop, the goals pour in!<br \/><br \/>\ud83d\udcc8 Bayern&#8217;s 10-0 win over Auckland City was the game wirh the most Actual Play Time in the frist round of the Club World Cup! The Bavarians managed to score a goal every 6.4 minutes the ball was in play \ud83e\udd2f <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/jYqAzcvneR\">pic.twitter.com\/jYqAzcvneR<\/a><\/p>\r\n\u2014 365Scores (@365Scores) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/365Scores\/status\/1935632727753265486?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 19, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>\r\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tech-and-messi-are-keeping-things-fresh\">Tech and Messi Are Keeping Things Fresh<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>FIFA\u2019s leaning hard into innovation to win over skeptics. Referee body cameras, approved by the International Football Association Board, are giving fans a front-row seat to officiating decisions, broadcast live on DAZN. VAR reviews now flash on stadium screens, demystifying calls in real time. These tweaks aim to make the game more transparent and engaging, and early feedback suggests they\u2019re a hit. Fans at Hard Rock Stadium cheered as they watched a Messi free-kick call get scrutinized, feeling like they were part of the action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking of Messi, his presence is a trump card. FIFA\u2019s controversial decision to hand Inter Miami a host slot\u2014bypassing traditional MLS qualification\u2014ensured the 37-year-old icon would grace the tournament. His free-kick winner against Porto proved he\u2019s still got it, drawing roars from 60,000 in Miami. Critics called it a marketing ploy, but the crowds don\u2019t lie. Messi\u2019s every touch is a spectacle, pulling in casual fans who might not care about Al Ahly or Wydad AC. With stars like River Plate\u2019s 17-year-old Franco Mastantuono and Bayern\u2019s Michael Olise also shining, the tournament\u2019s star power is undeniable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-2220235418-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 19: Lionel Messi right winger of Inter Miami and Argentina celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group A match between Internacional CF Miami and FC Porto at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 19, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. \" class=\"wp-image-10218\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by Jose Hernandez\/Anadolu via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"fan-zones-are-where-the-partys-at\">Fan Zones Are Where the Party\u2019s At<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For those without tickets\u2014or unwilling to brave the heat\u2014fan zones are the unsung heroes. From Miami to Seattle, these hubs offer giant screens, live music, and food stalls, turning cities into soccer festivals. In Los Angeles, supporters chant alongside Tokyo tourists and Argentine expats, swapping stories over craft brews. New York\u2019s fan zones have seen Brazilian samba dancers and European scarf-wavers collide, creating a melting pot of fandom. These spaces aren\u2019t just about watching games; they\u2019re about connection, letting fans from opposite continents bond over a shared love of the sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The cultural mash-up is real. American tailgate parties meet Brazilian samba beats, while betting enthusiasts trade tips on match outcomes. Host cities like Atlanta and Philadelphia lean into their local flavor, with food trucks serving everything from cheesesteaks to tacos. For global fans, it\u2019s a chance to experience U.S. culture while waving their club\u2019s flag. The vibe is less intense than inside stadiums but no less joyful, proving the Club World Cup\u2019s appeal extends beyond the pitch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\r\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Following in big bro Jude\u2019s footsteps \ud83d\udc63\u26bd\ufe0f<br \/><br \/>Jobe Bellingham bags his first goal for Dortmund and becomes the youngest English player EVER to score in the Club World Cup! \ud83d\udd25\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7<br \/><br \/>A new star is rising \ud83c\udf1f <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/s4fQ6KZLR2\">pic.twitter.com\/s4fQ6KZLR2<\/a><\/p>\r\n\u2014 365Scores (@365Scores) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/365Scores\/status\/1936485253910085895?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 21, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>\r\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"so-are-fans-enjoying-it\">So, Are Fans Enjoying It?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Club World Cup 2025 is a paradox: a tournament of electric highs and logistical lows. South American fans are treating it like a World Cup final, their passion infectious enough to carry entire games. Messi\u2019s magic and FIFA\u2019s tech experiments are keeping things fresh, while fan zones are knitting together a global community. But the heat, high prices, and half-empty stadiums are real buzzkills, testing the patience of even the most diehard supporters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Data paints a cautiously optimistic picture. With 730,000 tickets sold for the first 20 games and an average attendance of 35,525, the tournament\u2019s drawing power is solid, if not spectacular. South American and Messi-driven crowds are the backbone, while European fans, skeptical of the month-long slog, are slower to buy in. The Rose Bowl\u2019s water woes and Orlando\u2019s ghost-town vibe are warning signs, but Boca\u2019s Miami takeover and Fluminense\u2019s New Jersey roar show what\u2019s possible when the stars align.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For U.S. fans, it\u2019s a warm-up for the 2026 Men\u2019s World Cup, a chance to flex their growing soccer muscle. For global supporters, it\u2019s a rare opportunity to see clubs like Real Madrid and River Plate clash on neutral ground. The tournament\u2019s not perfect\u2014FIFA\u2019s overpromises and pricing missteps ensured that\u2014but the fans who\u2019ve shown up are finding plenty to love. As the group stage rolls toward knockouts, expect the noise to get louder, the stakes higher, and the party wilder. The Club World Cup\u2019s still finding its rhythm, but when it hits, it\u2019s a banger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><em>By Nicky Helfgott &#8211; <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NickyHelfgott1\"><em>NickyHelfgott1 on X (Twitter<\/em>)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep up with all the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\">latest football news<\/a> and<a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/fifa-club-world-cup-5096\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/premier-league-7\/news\"> Club World Cup news<\/a> on 365Scores!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Miami\u2019s Hard Rock Stadium was pulsing with 60,000 souls as star attraction Lionel Messi curled in a free-kick. On the same week, Boca Juniors fans turned stands into a carnival of blue and yellow. Across the country, in Pasadena\u2019s Rose Bowl, 80,000 pack in to see Paris Saint-Germain dismantle Atl\u00e9tico Madrid. The FIFA Club World &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":10222,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3462,9],"tags":[66,1608,194,3672,3674,3673,1025,1711,3025,3670,1345,159,1246,1952,59,1607,1723,3665,3669],"class_list":["post-10215","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fifa-club-world-cup","category-soccer","tag-atletico-madrid","tag-boca-juniors","tag-borussia-dortmund","tag-chelsea-fc","tag-club-world-cup-2025","tag-fifa-club-world-cup","tag-flamengo","tag-fluminense","tag-franco-mastantuono","tag-hard-rock-stadium","tag-inter-miami","tag-lionel-messi","tag-palmeiras","tag-paris-saint-germain","tag-real-madrid","tag-river-plate","tag-rose-bowl","tag-soccer-fans","tag-thomas-muller","article_type-news","article_type-seo","entity_type-competition","inspiration-365s-articles","inspiration-planned"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10215","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10215"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10215\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10229,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10215\/revisions\/10229"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10222"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10215"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10215"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10215"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}