Article Rewrite
By Doug McIntyre, Football Journalist
East Rutherford, NJ – Navigating the bustling streets of America’s largest cities can be challenging, but one of soccer’s premier summer events recently made a significant impression in New York City.
Fans arrived at LaGuardia Airport decked out in Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain jerseys. Outside a chic hotel in Midtown Manhattan, supporters eagerly awaited glimpses of stars like Cole Palmer and Ousmane Dembélé, proudly displaying their team colors.
Three military helicopters flew above MetLife Stadium, just west of the Hudson River, one of which was carrying Donald Trump.
This scene served as a preview for next year, when the New York region, particularly its New Jersey suburbs, will host the champions of the 2026 World Cup on the same pitch.
Culturally, few sporting events can rival the World Cup final. Approximately 1.5 billion viewers (over a sixth of the world’s population) tuned in to witness the thrilling encounter between Lionel Messi and Argentina against Kylian Mbappé’s France in Qatar during the 2022 final. In comparison, the Super Bowl attracts just under 200 million viewers worldwide.
Nonetheless, Sunday’s Club World Cup final felt like a significant event across New York. It provided a compelling hint of what to expect on July 19 next year.
However, critics voiced concerns regarding the Club World Cup ahead of and following the competition. Some critiques were indeed justified: initial ticket prices were deemed excessive, prompting FIFA to lower costs later. Certain group stage matches drew disappointing crowds, particularly a match in Central Florida that featured just 3,412 spectators at the 25,000-capacity Orlando City stadium.
To accommodate European broadcasters who preferred not to have matches scheduled for late-night viewing in the U.S., many were instead held during the intense afternoon heat.
The 63 matches over the month attracted an average of nearly 40,000 attendees, comparable to several World Cups hosted in this century, including South Korea/Japan 2002, South Africa, and the 2018 tournament in Russia.
The knockout rounds filled NFL stadiums in cities like Atlanta, Miami, and Philadelphia, and despite hosting four final matches in a nine-day span, MetLife Stadium averaged 75,000 attendees, with two semi-finals holding one quarterfinal.
It was evident that the vast majority of viewers this Sunday were Americans. While Chelsea and PSG fans flew in from London and Paris to see their teams lift the Tiffany-designed trophy, the English Premier League has consistently been featured in U.S. streaming services, cable, and free television for decades. Chelsea has been particularly predominant over the last 20 years, winning multiple domestic and European titles.
Meanwhile, PSG boasts a global appeal, featuring icons like Messi, Mbappé, Neymar, and former stars such as David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimović, and recently clinched their first Champions League title in May.
The crowd was a diverse mix, filled with fans wearing everything from vintage Maradona jerseys to shirts showcasing various clubs like La Liga MX’s Tigres and the Greek national team. One interesting sight was an Ecuadorian fan sporting a Chelsea jersey, aligning with the sizable Ecuadorian community in New Jersey.
Attendees were treated to a variety of engaging experiences, including referee cams and player introductions in the style of basketball. Legendary boxing announcer Michael Buffer introduced the squads with his signature line, "Let’s get ready to rumble!" while the grass was watered like an NBA court prior to games. The halftime entertainment featured performances from J Balvin, Doja Cat, and Coldplay.
Despite these attractions, they couldn’t overshadow the action on the field.
American soccer enthusiasts have been attending matches featuring European giants every summer since the early 2000s, but opportunities to witness these teams in high-stakes competitions on U.S. soil have been rare.
Historically, the Club World Cup has been viewed as a minor inconvenience for top European teams. Launched in 2000 with just seven teams, it often disrupted domestic campaigns. However, under FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s leadership since 2016, there has been a push to elevate the tournament as a global counterpoint to Europe’s esteemed UEFA Champions League. This year’s expanded 32-team format served as a preliminary adaptation for the World Cup in 2026, which will feature 48 teams, marking a substantial increase from previous tournaments.
Given its unique nature, this Club World Cup, particularly Sunday’s final, is being celebrated as a significant achievement.
But as we look ahead to the coming year, expectations will be high.
Chelsea, having finished fourth in the Premier League last season, earned $113 million in prize money at this Club World Cup, along with the prestige of being recognized as FIFA’s top club.
Clearly, both the club and its players valued this win—something that fans ultimately resonated with.
"I regard this as highly as I did when I won the Champions League," Chelsea manager Maresca remarked on the title. "Wearing the winner’s badge is a point of pride."
This month served as a delightful preview, with more excitement to follow.
Editorial Opinion (Fan Take)
The successful hosting of the Club World Cup in the U.S. sets a precedent for future soccer events, highlighting the growing popularity of the sport in America. As soccer continues to capture the hearts of fans stateside, this could pave the way for increased investment and development in U.S. soccer, leading to a brighter future for the sport on the international stage.
