What the Club World Cup revealed ahead of World Cup 2026

By Martin Graham

The not too long ago concluded Membership World Cup has been seen by many as a rehearsal for subsequent 12 months’s expanded 48-team World Cup throughout america, Canada, and Mexico. With matches held in cities akin to Atlanta, Miami, Philadelphia, New York, and Seattle – all of which can even host World Cup fixtures – the match offered insights into what lies forward in 2026.

Michael Brown, former Manchester Metropolis and Tottenham midfielder who coated 10 video games throughout 5 cities for DAZN, described the competitors as a useful take a look at for FIFA. However the occasion additionally uncovered a number of challenges that might carry into subsequent summer time.

Local weather challenges and scheduling points

Extreme warmth and violent storms disrupted a number of video games, resulting in prolonged delays. Underneath U.S. laws, play have to be halted when lightning is detected inside a 10-mile vary and can’t resume till half-hour after the final strike. Six fixtures confronted interruptions, with some suspended for as much as two hours. Chelsea’s match in opposition to Benfica, for example, was stopped with solely minutes remaining earlier than finally being determined in additional time.

Temperatures reached 39°C in New York, with the humidity pushing the warmth index above 50°C. A number of coaches and gamers voiced considerations, together with Enzo Maresca, Igor Tudor, Niko Kovac, and Luis Enrique. Juventus noticed ten gamers ask to be substituted resulting from warmth exhaustion, whereas Borussia Dortmund employees averted the solar by staying inside at kickoff. Even sniffer canines at Lincoln Monetary Area needed to put on protecting footwear resulting from sizzling concrete surfaces.

9 of the 16 cities for subsequent 12 months’s match are thought of to hold a “very excessive” or “extraordinarily excessive” danger of heat-related accidents, based on FIFPro. Whereas 5 venues may have retractable roofs in 2026, organizers are urged to keep away from noon matches in hotter cities. Arsene Wenger urged reconsidering begin occasions to scale back well being dangers.

Crowds, pricing, and public curiosity

Attendance diverse considerably all through the match. Whereas 17 video games drew crowds above 60,000 – with the very best being 81,118 for the Chelsea vs Paris St-Germain last – 4 matches had fewer than 10,000 spectators. The bottom turnout was 3,412 for Mamelodi Sundowns in opposition to Ulsan HD.

Low attendances had been partly blamed on weekday afternoon kick-offs. Chelsea’s opener drew 22,000 followers, a determine attributed extra to the Monday 3pm time slot than a scarcity of curiosity within the sport. Some followers are reportedly saving cash for the World Cup itself. Ticket pricing additionally sparked controversy, with dynamic pricing inflicting dramatic swings. For instance, semi-final tickets dropped from almost £350 to lower than £10, resulting in frustration amongst early patrons.

In response to journalists like Doug Roberson and Jonathan Tannenwald, a lack of know-how and restricted advertising contributed to the inconsistent turnouts. Many locals are nonetheless adjusting to soccer’s rising recognition. Although curiosity is rising, particularly in cities internet hosting matches, Brown famous that different sports activities like baseball nonetheless dominate in lots of venues.

Infrastructure, surfaces, and safety considerations

The size of america posed logistical challenges that had been obvious through the Membership World Cup. In distinction to Qatar’s compact format in 2022, this match concerned journey between huge cities with various transport choices. For instance, the ultimate at MetLife Stadium was impacted by poor entry, with followers strolling as much as half an hour within the warmth after getting off on the nearest prepare station.

Different stadiums confronted comparable points. Miami’s Laborious Rock Stadium lacks close by rail entry, and post-match site visitors restrictions made it tough for followers to depart. In distinction, Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Philadelphia’s Lincoln Monetary Area had been praised for his or her metro programs and environment friendly layouts.

On the pitch, circumstances diverse extensively. Many stadiums transformed American soccer fields into momentary grass surfaces with restricted preparation time. Gamers like Jude Bellingham and Reece James had been amongst those that criticized the ball motion and floor really feel. Dortmund’s supervisor commented on the inconsistency throughout venues, evaluating some pitches to golf greens resulting from their quick size and dryness.

Safety was one other key focus. Excessive-profile matches, particularly the ultimate attended by Donald Trump, noticed heightened measures. Armed Secret Service personnel, snipers, bomb squads, and strict credential checks had been in place. A number of stadiums additionally deployed sniffer canines and arrange double safety perimeters, indicating the extent of scrutiny anticipated subsequent 12 months.

The Membership World Cup has offered a glimpse into the rewards and dangers of internet hosting soccer’s largest stage in North America. From excessive climate to public transport, pitch high quality, and fan engagement, the previous month has delivered classes that FIFA should act on earlier than 2026 arrives.

Martin Graham is an MFF sports activities author