There has been a huge outcry from the footballing world after a series of interruptions in the ongoing Club World Cup, which has sparked debates about whether the US is a nation that is fit to host international competitions.
The Round of 16 tie that saw Benfica take on Chelsea was interrupted in the 86th minute, for reasons of lightning within a 10-mile radius of Bank of America Stadium.
Because of this, the match had to be suspended for almost two hours.
Since the competition began on June 15, there have been six cases of interruptions, with the longest delay being another Benfica game against Auckland City that saw the match halted for two hours and 14 minutes.
Occasions like this are rare, and the interruptions not only kill the momentum of the match but also lead to a loss of focus and mental sharpness of the players. And in the post-match interview with Chelsea Head Coach Enzo Maresca, he said;
“There is some problem for me personally. But I’m not talking – I’m talking as a manager. Because when you are two hours inside and you try to keep them in the game, but for two hours, they are speaking with the family outside for safety reasons.
“They are eating something, they are playing, they are laughing. How can you keep them two hours inside, focused? Then we are happy. We are happy to be here. We are happy to be in this competition. But it’s something that it’s not normal for.”
What Happened?
The first half of the clash ended goalless, despite the English side having bossed the entire half. They went into the break feeling frustrated after two superb saves from goalie Anatoliy Trubin and a goal-line clearance from Antonio Silva kept Benfica in the game.
The second half started similarly to the first. The Blues kept knocking, and they finally found the breakthrough in the 64th minute with captain Reece James catching Trubin off guard with a smart free-kick 20 yards out.
There were few chances created for the Portuguese side as they looked for an equaliser, with Angel Di Maria coming close but failing to beat Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea, who were four minutes away from heading into the last eight were taken off the pitch by referee Slavko Vincic, with fans told to vacate the seating bowl in the stadium.
During this unexpected break, the players were pictured riding exercise bikes and kicking balls in the dressing room in a bid to maintain fitness.
The continuous wave of interruptions has raised concerns among all parties involved, from the travelling fans to coaches and players. In part of Enzo Maresca’s post-match interview, he also had complains, he said;
“For 85 minutes we were in control of the game.
“After the break, the game changed completely. For me it’s not football. It’s already seven, eight, nine games that they suspended.
“I think it’s a joke to be honest, it’s not football. It’s not for us. You cannot be inside. I struggle to understand.
“I can understand that for security reasons, you suspend the game. But if you suspend seven, eight games, that means that probably [this] is not the right place to do this competition.”
Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah made a lighthearted social media post following the match.
Quoting a tweet from Chelsea’s official account, he wrote, “five hour game,” and quickly added, “Game started Saturday, ended Sunday”, with a laughing emoji, poking fun at the match’s duration.
The number of stoppages in this competition – (seventh time, with Chelsea’s game inclusive) is becoming increasingly alarming and it begs the question: is it worth risking the safety, well-being, and experience of both fans and players for the sake of maintaining a tournament structure that has its flaws and is potentially dangerous?
Was the U.S the best destination for the event, seeing that they’ll also be hosting the 2026 World Cup?
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Is Jamie Gittens the Key To Transforming Chelsea’s Attacking Frontline?
Economic Benefits of Hosting the Club World Cup in the US
A key reason for hosting the Club World Cup in the United States is its economic impact. Just like the 2024 Copa America, which was played across 14 U.S. states, it boosted revenue through tourism, merchandise sales, and hospitality.
Similarly, the 1994 FIFA World Cup generated approximately $600 million for the economy, and with the 2026 World Cup fast approaching, projections estimate over $5 billion in economic activity, driven by spending in hotels, stadiums, restaurants, and local businesses, while host cities gain visibility which will in turn attract future investments.
Challenges Fans Face Watching the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
High Ticket Costs and Low Attendance
Since the beginning of the tournament, we have witnessed a low turnout of fans for games, and this could be because of the high ticket cost.
The prices for tickets in the group stage ranged from $100 to $200, which is far from what people can afford, because the CWC doesn’t hold the same weight as other competitions such as the World Cup.
Despite significant price reduction for Miami Dade College students, attendance has been inconsistent.
Stadiums like Lumen Field in Seattle which hosted the River Plate vs Urawa match, have a seat capacity of up to 72,000 but saw a low turnout of just 12,000.
Also, the Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, with a capacity of 25,000, has the lowest turnout of fans, with only 13% turning up for the Ulsan HD vs Mamelodi Sundowns game.
While headline games like PSG vs Atletico Madrid drew 80,619 fans to the Rose Bowl, some supporters are still not satisfied with the costs, particularly in South America.
Time Zone Conflicts
The Club World Cup has seen viewers watch games at “odd” hours.
The tournament, held across 12 stadiums, mainly in the Eastern and Central time zones, has kickoff times that are made to suit the U.S. audiences, creating varied viewing experiences globally.
With the tournament’s scheduling, other nations watch the matches either late at night or early in the morning, and this is due to the seven to eight hour time difference with the US.
For example, a game kicking off at 6pm Los Angeles (Pacific Time) would be watched at 2am the next day in London or 3am in Paris and Berlin.
So far, the majority of matches have started by 3pm or earlier on weekdays, coinciding with work hours in the U.S and Canada. This scheduling has been a major contributor to empty seats.
Asian Countries (Japan, Philippines)
A 16-hour time difference between Asian countries and the U.S. means that a match, for example, played at 6pm in the Orlando Stadium would kick off at 10am the following day in Japan, or as late as 1am in the Philippines.
These inconvenient kickoff times often discourage fans from watching live, leading many to simply wait for the final score from news updates or social media.
MORE FOR YOU: Club World Cup News: Real Madrid Rule Group H, Al Hilal Sneak Through, Salzburg Fall Short & Pachuca Winless
Africa (Tunisia, Egypt)
In Africa, fans are deeply passionate about their teams, such as Al Ahly in Egypt, Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa, Wydad AC in Morocco and Esperance Sportive de Tunisie in Tunisia, and they show unwavering support.
And although the aforementioned teams have since left the competition, it was still difficult for their fans to watch live matches from distant time zones.
For example, a 6pm Los Angeles game, poses challenges as it means the games will be shown by 3am the next day in South Africa or 4am in Egypt, making it tough for fans to tune in live.
These early morning hours to watch a match are not convenient as they interrupt regular sleep patterns, make it difficult for fans to stay alert.
They also often clash with school or work commitments, ultimately reducing live viewership and fan engagement, forcing fans to rewatch highlights which takes the thrill out of real-time excitement.
Conclusion – Don’t fix what’s not broken
Times are changing, and unnecessary additions to the sport we love are making it increasingly unrecognisable.
One glaring example is the pre-match presentation of players that feels more like a fashion runway show than a football event. And in the upcoming season, there will be interviews with substituted players at halftime.
The Club World Cup in the US has further highlighted this shift – its main focus appears to be less about the football itself and more about commercial appeal, entertainment value, and audience spectacle.
Criticisms from social media stating that the competition was hosted in the country just to boost FIFA’s finances.
In years to come, America may be remembered as one of the least suitable hosts for a major football tournament.
The reasons are evident – frequent cooling breaks disrupting the flow of play, match suspensions, empty stadiums and extreme weather conditions that prevent players from performing at their usual high standards.
Adding to that the ever-growing list of complaints from both players and managers, it’s clear the environment is far from ideal for top-level football.
And with the nation set to host the 2026 World Cup, one can only hope that the issues witnessed so far are addressed, and the governing bodies and planning committee members take into consideration the safety of people, prioritising the integrity of the sport over spectacle.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto
Recording Date: 28.06.2025