FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the Club World Cup has already become “the most successful club competition in the world,” despite player criticism, sparse crowds, and extreme heat affecting matches in the United States, the BBC reported.
Speaking Saturday at Trump Tower in New York ahead of Sunday’s final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, Infantino said the tournament generated over USD 2 billion in revenue, roughly USD 33 million per match. “There is no other cup competition in the world that comes close to USD 33 million per match,” he said.
His comments come just weeks after former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp called the tournament “the worst idea ever implemented in football.”
This year’s competition moved to the summer and expanded to 32 teams. Many games have had poor attendance, with over a million empty seats recorded across the competition.
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez said the heat was “very dangerous,” while his coach Enzo Maresca said training sessions had become “impossible.” Players Jude Bellingham and Reece James also complained about the weather and pitch quality.
Infantino acknowledged the high temperatures. “Of course, the heat is definitely an issue,” he said. “The conditions need cooling breaks, watering the pitch, and seeing how we can do things better.”
In New Jersey, where the final is taking place, temperatures have soared to 38°C in recent days. FIFA said it would rely more on covered stadiums in next summer’s World Cup, which will be hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Only one indoor venue, Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, was used this year. Four others with retractable roofs, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Vancouver, are available for 2026.
Infantino said Sunday’s final would be attended by US President Donald Trump.
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