Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca described the atmosphere at their 2–0 Club World Cup win over LAFC as “strange,” as only 22,137 fans showed up in a 71,000-capacity stadium.
- The match was played in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, known for big MLS crowds.
- Multiple empty sections raised questions over fan interest despite tickets being slashed to $51.
- LAFC’s coach said judgment should wait until the end of the tournament.
- Liam Delap impressed on his debut, assisting Enzo Fernández for Chelsea’s second goal.
- Chelsea sit level with Flamengo at the top of their group.
Maresca’s comments reflect growing concerns over the Club World Cup's appeal in U.S. markets, even when European giants like Chelsea are involved. A fixture that should have dazzled instead struggled to fill seats, despite Atlanta’s usually strong football fan base.
Sparse attendance or not, Chelsea got the job done. But the tournament’s organisers will need to address the optics fast, because a near-empty stadium sends the wrong message about the global game’s reach.
