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When the teams warmed up at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, only 97 spectators were recorded in the stands. That number rose to roughly 600 before kick-off, far below the venue’s 25,500-seat capacity.

“The FIFA Club World Cup is a real disaster for smaller teams,” one user wrote on X. “How many spectators are there in Orlando? 200?”

Another added, “Even amateur leagues draw bigger crowds than this.”

Many observers expressed concern that if fans keep skipping lower-profile matches, it could affect the tournament’s credibility. Some warned that FIFA President Gianni Infantino may face growing pressure over this situation.

“Who am I kidding? The king will not shoot himself in the foot,” one post read, suggesting Infantino will stick with the 32-team format despite criticism.

The Ulsan-Sundowns match had the lowest attendance of the tournament so far, though several other games also saw sparse crowds.

Chelsea’s clash with Los Angeles FC drew 22,137 fans to a stadium with a 75,000-seat capacity. Botafogo’s game against the Seattle Sounders saw 30,151 attendees in a 72,000-seat venue. Bayern Munich’s match with Auckland City brought in 21,152 fans in a stadium that holds 26,000. Flamengo and Esperance drew 22,797 fans in a 77,900-seat arena. River Plate’s showdown with Urawa Reds had 11,974 spectators in a 72,000-seat stadium. Fluminense versus Dortmund attracted 34,736 fans in a 93,000-seat venue, while Palmeiras’s match against Porto welcomed 46,275 in the same stadium, according to Al Jazera.

Only three matches have surpassed the 50,000 mark in attendance: Inter Miami vs Al Ahly, PSG against Atletico Madrid and Boca Juniors facing Benfica. These fixtures either featured big teams or took place in Miami, a city with a big South American fanbase.

The 2025 tournament, unlike past editions that featured fewer than 10 clubs, has expanded to 32 teams, including continental champions and high-ranking clubs from the past four years. Critics say the expanded format has diluted the competition’s quality. Bayern’s 10-0 thrashing of Auckland City, a team made up mostly of semi-professionals, was cited as a prime example.

Despite the backlash, FIFA claims nearly 1.5 million tickets have been sold. The tournament, which runs from June 14 to July 13, is projected to generate billions in revenue, largely through broadcasting and commercial rights. FIFA will distribute US$1.1 billion in prize money, with the champion expected to receive around $125 million.