The XXL format of this edition (32 clubs divided into 8 groups, extended to 63 matches in one month) is strongly accused of stifling an already saturated calendar, encroaching on the summer rest period and risking causing fatigue, injuries and even burnout among players. Players' unions, such as FIFPRO and the PFA, warn of mental and physical exhaustion, denounce the lack of real breaks between competitions and are considering legal action against FIFA. On the sporting front, the unbalanced structure of the competition, with a strong expected domination of European clubs, is problematic: the arbitrary selection of teams like Inter Miami (thanks to the Supporters' Shield) has been described as ridiculous by many, while the lack of historical rivalries and the predictability of matches alienate fans. In America, the popular enthusiasm was disappointing: half-empty arenas, tickets sold off at up to 85%, limited media coverage (TNT, DAZN) and concerns about welcoming foreign audiences ("visa delays", security fears) undermined the event's success.
Finally, political and societal voices criticize FIFA's omnipresence and its marketing-media operation, denouncing a "cult of celebrity" that favors Lionel Messi, feigns anti-racism messages, politicizes the event (visits to Donald Trump) and transforms the competition into a less than transparent Olympic spectacle. In an interview with AFP , Gianni Infantino had already defended the competition, even before it began: " The Club World Cup opens a new era for football. I am convinced that as soon as the ball starts rolling, the whole world will realize what is happening here. It will be something special. We criticize FIFA if the prices are too high, if the prices are too low, if we do promotions for students... When I was a student and I had no money, I would have liked FIFA to come to me and say: "Do you want to come and see a World Cup match?" We don't want empty stadiums. I am sure they will be very full ."
“The players love it!”
Several matches were also played in front of swathes of empty seats, while the extreme weather conditions in the US at this time of year and concerns about whether the promised billion-dollar prize package will unbalance the leagues when the teams return home were also noted. Elsewhere, Infantino's claims that the tournament is "best against the best" have been questioned given that none of the champions from England, Spain, or Italy are involved, while Bayern Munich beat Auckland City 10-0 in their opening group game. However, Infantino hit back at these claims and insisted that the expanded competition is going well and has the potential to change people's opinions: " Some people may criticize it a little bit, but it's something new. It's something special. It's a real World Cup with the best teams and the best players." It was about time someone invented a World Cup for club teams. For 100 years, we've known which country is the best in the world, but until today, we don't really know which team is the best in the world. So we thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to create a World Cup where the teams could decide ."
The global players' organization FIFPro has highlighted the additional demands an expanded tournament would place on players and the negative impact of the lack of a summer break, with some stars already threatening to boycott the competition due to workload issues. But for the head of world football's biggest institution, the tournament's key players are very happy about the month-long break in the United States: "I think the players love it. Harry Kane gave an interview and said, 'It's a fantastic competition. It's magnificent.' The players love it. Those who aren't here, of course, would love to be. In football, unlike any other sport, there are always surprises, and the little guy can beat the big guy, right? And that's rare in other sports: in 90% of cases, the strongest guy wins. In football, it's in 70% of cases . " The Club World Cup has seen some early successes, thanks in part to the atmosphere created by fans like those of Boca Juniors, while Brazilian teams Botafogo and Flamengo have caused major upsets against PSG and Chelsea respectively.
And Gianni Infantino, whose name is engraved on the tournament trophy, has claimed that if the Club World Cup and next summer's World Cup in the United States are successful, the trajectory of football in the country could change completely: " The Club World Cup, and with the World Cup next year, is about showing young Americans that, actually, if you're good and if you have talent, you don't need to go to another sport, because through football, there's a path to fame and a path to money too. You can become famous. You can become rich by following a path that football takes, which is something young Americans today don't see because they see, of course, the NFL or the NBA or baseball or ice hockey, but we will show them here in their country the power of football ." By sticking to an idealized vision of football as "universal and accessible," Gianni Infantino is facing widespread skepticism. As the stands ring hollow, players' voices rise, and observers denounce a purely commercial logic, FIFA gives the impression of moving forward alone, deaf to warning signs. One thing is certain: between Infantino's ambitions and the pitch, the gap has never seemed greater.
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