Chelsea triumphs in front of empty seats at Club World Cup opener

In the United States, Chelsea Football Club kicked off their Club World Cup campaign with a match against Los Angeles FC on Monday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The game, which took place in early June 2025, drew a disappointing crowd of only 22,137 spectators in a stadium that can hold up to 71,000 fans, leaving many seats empty. Chelsea managed to secure a 2-0 victory, with pivotal moments including a goal by Pedro Neto in the first half and another by Substitutes Enzo Fernandez in the second half, guided by a cross from Liam Delap. Chelsea's coach, Enzo Maresca, referred to the situation as "strange" due to the lack of atmosphere, which contrasted sharply with the large crowds seen at other matches during the tournament, such as over 80,000 attendees at a game featuring Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid. Maresca expressed disappointment at the low attendance and reflected on the importance of maintaining professionalism in less-than-ideal conditions. Despite the sparse crowd, he congratulated his players on their good performance and looked forward to their next match against Flamengo in Philadelphia, where he anticipated a much livelier environment due to Brazilian fans' strong turnout at events. Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns, another team competing in the Club World Cup, experienced similar issues, winning their group stage match against Ulsan HD with a score of 1-0, but drawing only 3,412 fans to their game. As the competition progressed, FIFA defended ticket sales, asserting that nearly 1.5 million tickets had been sold across all matches despite the low attendance at certain fixtures. The organization maintained that spectator interest could change as the tournament advanced, pointing out that the matches featuring high-profile clubs attracted significant crowds while others saw disappointing turnouts. The Club World Cup, now under scrutiny for its execution and scheduling, showcases the challenges of filling stadiums amidst varying levels of fan interest for its inaugural edition. With varying attendance numbers and a mixed atmosphere at the events, discussions surrounding the tournament's appeal continue, leading experts and former players to question its relevance. Maresca, in his post-match comments, emphasized the need for teams to adapt quickly to fluctuating environments, highlighting the importance of player mentality and professionalism regardless of external factors during crucial international tournaments.