ATLANTA — With less than two months until kickoff, FIFA President Gianni Infantino remains defiant in the face of sluggish ticket sales for the 2025 Club World Cup, set to debut in the U.S. in its new, expanded format.
Speaking at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday, Infantino addressed growing concern over the lack of demand, but made it clear: he’s not sweating the numbers — yet.
“I’m not worried at all,” Infantino said. “When you bring the best teams to play for something real — not just exhibition games — people show up. This is a World Cup. This is a real competition.”
The tournament, now boasting 32 teams and billed as a global showdown between club elites, represents FIFA’s boldest push yet into the American market. But early indicators suggest that the U.S. public isn’t fully sold — at least not yet.
Plenty of Tickets, Plenty of Questions
Here’s a snapshot of current availability across key fixtures:
-
June 14 (Miami Gardens): Inter Miami CF vs. Al Ahly — led by Lionel Messi — still has hundreds of unsold seats. Prices start at $356.80.
-
June 15 (Cincinnati): Bayern Munich vs. Auckland City — entry at $94.80 with large blocks of seats open.
-
June 15 (Rose Bowl): PSG vs. Atlético Madrid — over 50% of sections show 100+ tickets available, starting at $133.80.
While official sales figures remain undisclosed, it’s clear the momentum FIFA hoped for hasn’t materialized — despite a star-studded lineup featuring Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and other global icons.
Bundled Offers and Bigger Pitches
In an effort to boost turnout, FIFA is now bundling Club World Cup tickets with priority access to 2026 Men’s World Cup ticket sales — though the final remains excluded. The strategy hints at long-term marketing goals and a desire to build a base of recurring buyers ahead of the World Cup proper.
Infantino, meanwhile, made the most of his visit to pitch Atlanta as a future host for the Women’s World Cup final, playfully noting the 71,000-seat venue “might need an upgrade.” With the city hosting 14 matches between this summer’s Club World Cup and next summer’s World Cup — including a semifinal — Atlanta is firmly on FIFA’s radar.
Optimism and Outreach
Capping the event, Infantino announced a $1 million donation to local youth initiatives, using the occasion for a final PR push:
“There are still tickets available,” he said, hoisting the tournament trophy. “FIFA.com/tickets — get them and come enjoy the best of the best.”
For now, the message from FIFA is clear: the stakes are real, the talent is elite, and the fans will follow. The only question is when.
