By Martin Graham
FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup in the United States has concluded its group stage, setting the stage for two weeks of knockout action. The competition, now featuring 32 clubs rather than the previous seven, has drawn sharp criticism over intense player workloads, harsh playing conditions, and fluctuating fan interest.
Concerns over player safety have been persistent, especially with the 2026 World Cup looming. Top European clubs like Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Paris St-Germain have each surpassed 60 games this season, with Chelsea and Manchester City also nearing that mark. The physical toll has been worsened by extreme temperatures, such as the 36°C recorded during Bayern Munich’s clash with Benfica in Charlotte. Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca described training as “impossible” under Philadelphia’s red alert heat warnings.
To counter the sweltering heat, cooling pauses have been introduced mid-match, and players have resorted to ice towels and water drenching to endure the heat. Meanwhile, storms have disrupted five games so far, with American stadium rules requiring a delay when lightning strikes within 10 miles. With many 2026 World Cup venues also used in this tournament, similar interruptions may lie ahead.
Empty seats and packed stands
Crowd sizes have varied dramatically across the tournament. While 18 group games drew over 40,000 spectators, others were played in sparsely populated stadiums. The biggest turnout came when 80,619 fans attended Paris St-Germain’s 4-0 demolition of Atletico Madrid at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl.
Other standout crowds included over 70,000 in Charlotte for Real Madrid’s victory over Pachuca and more than 60,000 on several occasions in Miami and Philadelphia. However, some games saw stadiums remain largely empty. Just 3,412 people were present for Ulsan HD’s narrow loss to Mamelodi Sundowns in Orlando, while under 9,000 watched Dortmund beat the same South Korean club in Cincinnati.
Lower turnouts were mostly tied to weekday fixtures scheduled between noon and mid-afternoon, with ticket demand clashing with both pricing concerns and the timing requirements of international broadcasters.
Pitch problems, prize money and continental challenges
Managers and players have openly criticized the poor condition of the playing surfaces. PSG’s Luis Enrique compared the pitches to an unstable basketball court, calling them unfit for top-tier football. Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham echoed those views, noting that uneven grass caused the ball to move awkwardly and put stress on players’ joints.
Despite these issues, clubs have taken the tournament seriously, motivated in part by its record prize pool of £775 million. Group stage wins earned clubs £1.5m each, with draws worth £800,000. Progressing to the last 16 guaranteed £5.8m, and prize money increases significantly at each stage, up to £30m for the eventual winner. Manchester City were the only side to win all three of their group matches.
Europe entered with high expectations, but three of its 12 teams – Porto, Atletico Madrid and Red Bull Salzburg – have already exited. South America has seen mixed fortunes, with both Argentinian clubs eliminated while all four Brazilian sides reached the next round. Inter Miami and Monterrey are the only North American teams remaining, with Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal the sole Asian side still in contention. No African clubs advanced, and Oceania’s Auckland City went out despite drawing with Boca Juniors.
Knockout stage and scoring race
The round of 16 begins on 28 June and ends on 2 July. Among the standout fixtures, PSG meet Inter Miami, Bayern Munich face Flamengo, and Manchester City take on Al Hilal. Real Madrid and Juventus also face off, while Borussia Dortmund meet Monterrey.
A five-way tie currently leads the race for the Golden Boot. Bayern’s Jamal Musiala scored a hat-trick against Auckland City, while teammate Michael Olise also netted three times. Benfica veteran Angel Di Maria and Juventus talent Kenan Yildiz are also among the top scorers. Al Ahly’s Wessam Abou Ali, despite his team’s exit, sits level after a trio of goals in a draw against Porto.
