Chelsea secured victory in the inaugural edition of the expanded Club World Cup, defeating European champions Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final held at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Cole Palmer was the standout performer, netting two goals and providing an assist, while Joao Pedro added a third before half-time. PSG faced further woes with Joao Neves receiving a red card late in the match.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has hailed this expanded tournament a resounding success, even as the football community comes to terms with the reality that, despite its imperfections, this tournament is here to stay. Originally scheduled to launch in 2021 before the onset of the pandemic, Infantino’s flagship competition faced significant criticism, particularly in Europe, prior to its commencement, being viewed as an unnecessary addition to an already congested football calendar.
Concerns were raised regarding its ability to resonate with fans. Echoing this sentiment, former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp dismissed the tournament as the “worst idea ever implemented in football”. However, the past month in the United States has suggested that such views may be overstated.
Despite facing criticism for the number of empty seats at many matches, the tournament has drawn impressive crowds, with approximately 2.5 million fans attending games across the country. South American supporters, in particular, have created vibrant and colourful atmospheres, resulting in an average attendance of nearly 39,000, just shy of last season’s figures in the English Premier League.
“The decisive factor is whether the fans like it or not, and the attendances were much higher than expected,” asserted Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development. “I do not share Jürgen Klopp’s opinion at all, as I believe a genuine Club World Cup is essential, and I am confident that all clubs participating in this competition would wish to take part again.”
What clubs might not wish to experience again are the sweltering temperatures associated with playing in North America during the summer months. The heat affected several matches, resulting in delays owing to thunderstorm warnings, a concern that could pose significant challenges for FIFA in the upcoming World Cup scheduled for next year in North America.
“Playing in these temperatures is extremely hazardous, and it certainly affects the pace of play,” complained Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández. “The intensity is not the same, and everything slows down.”
While FIFA may look to improve conditions for future tournaments, the dominance of Europe’s leading clubs remains a challenge. The competition featured both finalists from Europe, though other teams showcased their capabilities, with Brazil’s Fluminense making a strong showing by reaching the semifinals after eliminating Inter Milan, while compatriots Palmeiras also reached the quarter-finals alongside Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal.
