Club World Cup humiliation as FIFA take drastic action to cover up empty stadiums

Club World Cup humiliation as FIFA take drastic action to cover up empty stadiums

FIFA are making plans to protect the optics of their Club World Cup with fans being moved around stadiums to ensure cameras don't show waves of empty seats with sales not going as planned

FIFA are wanting to avoid potential embarrassment over the coming month (Image: Harold Cunningham - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images )

FIFA are having to move fans at stadiums so that they face the television camera to ensure matches at the Club World Cup looks as if they're at capacity. The sport's governing body are shifting supporters ahead of the tournament's opening games to avoid potential embarrassment.

They maintained that the strategy is standard at major sporting events and will also aid the atmosphere. However the move raises questions over the appetite for FIFA's new tournament, which has been expanded, but is seen as a financially-motivated decision.

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The Daily Mail reports that fans who bought tickets will not be short changed and movement of seats will see them placed in the same price point or even upgraded in some cases.

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Ticket prices have been heavily cut and it is understood that many of those who bought seats early have been given substantial part-refunds to allow for this.

The Club World Cup in its new format is yet to be trialed but a seat map for a last 16 match at the 74,867-capacity Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte is effectively split in half. One section is almost filled but the other is virtually empty, but that won't be shown by the camera.

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For the opening game between Lionel Messi ’s Inter Miami and Egypt’s Al-Ahly at Miami’s 65,326 Hard Rock Stadium, which ended goalless, students at a local college were being offered five tickets for as little as $20 (£14.70). When the draw was first made in December the cheapest seats were advertised for $349 (£257).

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FIFA, who signed a $1bn deal with DAZN to broadcast the competition across the world, need their newly expanded tournament to be a success. It previously included seven teams and last a week - now there are 32 teams and it will be played over a month.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JUNE 14: Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF is challenged by Ahmed Koka (L) and Yasser Ibrahim of Al Ahly FC (R) during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group A match between Al Ahly FC and Internacional CF Miami at Hard Rock Stadium on June 14, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

This week alone, Spanish La Liga president Javier Tebas described the Club World Cup as "absurd" and said FIFA had not "consulted us about anything" as players continue to express concern over the amount of games they're required to play.

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Tickets for the tournament have been sold using a dynamic pricing model and the prices are determined by demand. A lower price suggests less interest, potentially because of the teams available. There are still tickets available for every match, with the majority of fixtures having seats for as little as £45 - and some even as low as £25.

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