This June 15, the revamped Club World Cup will begin in the United States. Inter Miami and Al Ahly will be responsible for opening the tournament at 2:00 a.m. Spanish time. Despite the display, the level of expectation is not the desired one.
Neither the stars nor the novelty have fully managed to capture the fans' attention. Proof of this is that FIFA has been forced to lower ticket prices due to the slow pace of sales. This is a hard blow for a competition that seeks to position itself as a top-tier global event.
Major absences on the line-up
This World Cup will bring together 32 teams, but many important names will not be there. Barça, recent LaLiga champion, is left out. Liverpool, one of the Premier League favorites, and Napoli, Serie A champion, will also not travel to the United States.
Of the Spanish clubs, only Real Madrid and Atlético will represent the country. This limited participation takes some shine off the line-up. Without some of the most followed clubs in the world, it's hard to generate excitement beyond the directly involved fan bases.
Gonzalo Miró's criticism
Gonzalo Miró, a regular commentator on Cadena COPE, didn't hold back. During El Partidazo, Miró was clear: "Of all the competitions of the year, the Club World Cup is the one that motivates fans the least."
When Juanma Castaño asked him to place it in a personal ranking, Miró didn't hesitate: "It's fourth, behind the Copa del Rey." He reiterated it several times. For him, the tournament still doesn't have soul, history, or the necessary appeal to compete with the Champions League or the national league.
A competition seeking identity
FIFA aims to turn the Club World Cup into an event as relevant as the World Cup or the Champions League. But the road won't be easy. There's a lack of tradition, historical rivalry, and true connection with the fans.
"The tournament has to build itself," Miró pointed out, acknowledging that maybe over time it will gain weight. For now, it seems more like an attempt at commercial expansion than a desired event for players and the public. Everything will depend on the excitement the matches manage to generate and the real level the teams offer.