FIFA president Gianni Infantino dismissed concerns about slow Club World Cup ticket sales two months before the tournament began in the United States.
Speaking during a trophy visit to Atlanta, Infantino insisted supporters would respond once they understood the scale of the new competition.
Infantino expects demand to rise
“This is a real game. This is a real competition. This is a real World Cup,” Infantino said. “It’s the best players. It’s the best teams coming.”
He drew a distinction between the tournament and summer friendlies that had previously attracted large crowds in the United States.
FIFA also offered Club World Cup ticket buyers a guaranteed opportunity to purchase tickets for a 2026 World Cup match, excluding the final.
FIFA gives $1m to each host city
Infantino announced a one-million-dollar contribution to each of the 11 US host cities.
During his Atlanta visit, he met Soccer In the Streets, a programme that brings football to children in lower-income neighbourhoods.
“Children are our future, and we will continue making our game more accessible to them,” Infantino said.
Atlanta pushes its case for 2031
Mercedes-Benz Stadium was selected to host six Club World Cup matches and eight games at the 2026 World Cup.
Infantino said a successful tournament could also strengthen Atlanta’s case to stage matches at the 2031 Women’s World Cup, which the United States was in line to host.
“Atlanta has really become a soccer city,” he said in comments reported by Reuters.
The 32-team Club World Cup was scheduled to open on 14 June with Inter Miami and Lionel Messi facing Al Ahly.
