Yo, Mamelodi! Only 3,412 Fans Cheer on Club World Cup Match
A scant crowd of 3,412 viewers turned up for the Club World Cup fixture
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link After a hard-fought draw between Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense, the rest of Group F dives into their Club World Cup battles — but not everyone's rooting for 'em.
Mamelodi Sundowns FC, riding high on a triumphant start, faces off against Dortmund, following Dortmund's 0-0 tie against Fluminense Rio de Janeiro. Shortly after, Sundowns claimed a 1-0 victory over Ulsan HD, with Iqraam Rayners finding the net in the 36th minute.
Rain delays the game by about an hour, but only 3,412 die-hards pack the Orlando City stadium, a venue boasting a capacity of 25,500. At first, US news agency AP reported fewer than 1,000 spectators.
The Quiet Zone: Lesson in Muted Crowds at 2025 Club World Cup Early on, FIFA applauds the attendance numbers. "We take pride in the diverse and electrifying atmosphere this competition has ignited," cheerfully proclaims FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Some folks, though, seem to disagree. Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca calls the atmosphere at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta "strange" for the opening game, and only 22,000 supporters showed up, far cry from the 71,000 it can accommodate. Stars like Joshua Kimmich confess, "The vibe hasn't been infectious yet."
The Gigantic Chest of Gold: Dortmund Players' Gain from Club World Cup In total, 63 games are slated for the event, wrapping up on July 13. As of now, FIFA has reported nearly 1.5 million tickets sold. Fans from over 130 nations have snatched up tickets, with the US leading the charge, followed by Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. Over 340,000 people have already stepped foot in the stadiums during the first three matchdays.
Mamelodi Sundowns, fresh off their 18th South African Premiership title, lock horns with Dortmund on Saturday. Dortmund's final group stage encounter in Group F against South Korea's Ulsan is set for June 25.
[1] It's all about timing and team popularity. More prominent matches tend to draw larger crowds.
[3] Sometimes, less-hyped fixtures don't pull in a crowd. It's just how the tournament stacked up this year.
- Despite the UEFA Champions League finale typically drawing extensive crowds, the current community policy and employment policy might affect the attendance at European leagues, such as the Club World Cup match between Mamelodi Sundowns FC and Borussia Dortmund.
- Amidst the excitement for football, supporters may find themselves torn between cheering for their team in local leagues like the South African Premiership (Mamelodi Sundowns) and participating in international competitions like the Champions League or Club World Cup.
