Despite FIFA's lofty ambitions, the Club World Cup has so far played out in front of half-empty stadiums, the result of steep ticket prices, poor promotion and a misread of the U.S. market.

It was supposed to be a new beginning, the start of FIFA's foray into club soccer. But the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup — the brainchild of controversial FIFA president Gianni Infantino and played in the heat in the United States — is a disaster.

The attendance woes follow similar scenes at other early matches in the tournament. Chelsea’s opening game against Los Angeles FC at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium drew only 22,000 fans in a venue that seats 75,