Club World Cup | DD News

June 17, 2025 12:27 PM

Healthy crowds and Messi mania lift Club World Cup, but quality gap shows

The expanded Club World Cup has kicked off with healthy crowds, "Messi mania" and a festival atmosphere in Miami, giving an early vindication to world football body FIFA after fears of empty stands and global disinterest. FIFA controversially awarded Lionel Messi's Inter Miami a backdoor route into the tournament, ensuring the sport’s biggest name would be there after he propelled soccer to new heights in a country often ambivalent to the world’s most popular game. Some 61,000 fans packed ...

June 15, 2025 1:01 PM

No goal, but Messi’s influence on show in Club World Cup opener

Although he did not score, Lionel Messi again proved his worth with Inter Miami, showing some brilliance and avoiding injury as they got off to a decent start in the Club World Cup with a goalless draw against African giants Al-Ahly from Egypt on Saturday. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Messi draws massive crowds to stadiums, and attendance will be a key measure of the revamped Club World Cup's success or failure. On Saturday, almost 61,000 fans filled the Hard Rock Stadium, making for a festive atmospher...

June 4, 2025 9:18 AM

FIFA’s inaugural Club World Cup set to kick off in the US amid challenges

FIFA's billion-dollar gamble to revolutionise club football begins a week on Sunday with plenty of cash up for grabs but questionable enthusiasm as 32 teams prepare to contest the expanded Club World Cup in 12 stadiums across the United States. The tournament – designed as a glittering curtain-raiserfor the 2026 World Cup – has had to contend with the prospect of empty seats along with controversial qualification rules and player welfare concerns after an exhausting European season. Lionel...