FIFA is reportedly relocating ticket holders to more visible seating areas facing television cameras to give the impression of fuller stadiums during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off in the early hours of Sunday morning in the United States.
The expanded 32-team tournament, set to run for a month, begins with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami facing Egypt’s Al Ahly at Miami’s 65,000-capacity Hard Rock Stadium.
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Despite the star-studded lineup, including European heavyweights like Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain, excitement and ticket sales have fallen short of expectations.
According to Mail Sport, some fans have seen their original seats moved in a bid to fill visible areas amid poor demand.
The governing body, which recently signed a $1 billion global broadcast deal with DAZN, has slashed ticket prices across the tournament.
Some early buyers have received partial refunds after prices dropped drastically from an initial $349 to as low as $20 for bundles near kickoff. Local students were reportedly offered five tickets for $20 ahead of the opening game.
FIFA is under pressure to deliver strong optics for the revamped tournament, which expanded from seven teams and one week to 32 teams over four weeks.
With eight of the 12 stadiums holding more than 65,000 seats and only 12 of 64 matches taking place at MLS grounds, the risk of empty visuals looms large.
In a statement, a FIFA spokesperson maintained optimism.“The FIFA Club World Cup is the start of a new era in global club football… We anticipate great attendance and electric atmospheres, with excitement growing every round.”
