Online Reporter
THE much-discussed and, in parts, derided Club World Cup football tournament finally got under way in Miami early this morning.
FIFA’s revamped and newly expanded tournament is being played for the first time in the United States amid the backdrop of apparent ticketing issues and accusations of little regard for player welfare.
It will be something of a dress rehearsal for the 2026 World Cup in the US, with five of the venues — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, MetLife Stadium, Lincoln Financial Field and Lumen Field — also hosting matches next year.
Most of the merits and concerns were discussed over the course of last season, but what are the views of those putting it on, and taking part?
With the big kick-off looming, talk is rife that ticket sales are slow.
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami headline the first game, and world governing body FIFA declined to comment when asked by BBC Sport about sales for their match against Al Ahly at the 65 000-capacity Hard Rock Stadium.
Some reports suggest an offer was made to students at Miami Dade College that if they bought one ticket for US$20 (£14.70), they would get four for free. The college is a partner of FIFA and tickets being offered may be taken up by students who would not usually have an interest in football.
A search on reselling website Ticketmaster on Friday showed tickets still available for purchase for today’s game, with the cheapest costing £48. It has been reported that when sales opened in December, the cheapest available was going for £257.
Speaking at a media event this week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “I expect a full stadium. We will have an incredible atmosphere. It’s historic.
“We have two teams in that game with very different stories: A young team like Inter Miami that is already known around the world, and the team that has won more trophies than any team in Africa, with millions of fans around the world.”
Tickets for the tournament have been sold under a dynamic pricing model, with prices determined by demand. A lower price suggests less interest.
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.
Some matches, understandably, appear to have attracted more interest than others. Tickets for Real Madrid’s first match against Al-Hilal — also at the Hard Rock Stadium — are only available for in excess of £166.
Paris-St Germain’s opener against Atletico Madrid also appears to be selling well, with the cheapest tickets now priced at £60.
With reports that sections of stadiums are being closed, only once the tournament kicks off will we get the full picture.
Fans in the US, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Canada lead the way for tickets purchased, with the UK 11th on that list.
Infantino said: “It starts a new era of football, a new era of club football. A little bit like in 1930, the first World Cup started.
“Everyone today speaks about the very first World Cup. That’s why this World Cup here is historic.
“I’m a positive person generally, but they criticise FIFA if the prices are too high, then they criticise FIFA if the prices are too low. — BBC Sport
Tinaye Agere