JAMES ROBSON Soccer Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Fans wait for the beginning of the Club World Cup group D soccer match between Chelsea and Los Angeles FC in Atlanta, Monday, June 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Club World Cup crowds have wildly fluctuated, from swathes of empty seats to ‘hostile’ atmospheres

June 21, 2025

The opening week for the monthlong Club World Cup has seen some wildly fluctuating attendances across the United States. A crowd of 3,412 watched Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan in Orlando. At the other end of the spectrum, more than 80,000 watched Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atletico Madrid at the Rose Bowl in Pasadenam California. While there was not a sellout game in the opening week, 10 of the first 24 matches have seen crowds in excess of 40,000, for an average of around 36,000. But optics, not just numbers, matter for a tournament FIFA hopes will become one of the most important in sport.

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe warms-up prior to a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Real Sociedad at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Cesar Cebolla)

Mbappe discharged from hospital. No timeframe on when Real Madrid star will play at Club World Cup

June 19, 2025

Kylian Mbappe was discharged from hospital after an acute case of gastroenteritis and it is not known when he will be able to play for Real Madrid at the Club World Cup. Mbappe missed the Spanish giant’s opening game of the tournament — a surprise 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal in Miami — because of a fever. Coach Xabi Alonso said the France international was in “rough shape” and hadn’t been able to train for days. His illness casts doubt over what part he might be able to play in the monthlong tournament in the United States, with Madrid facing Pachuca in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo holds the trophy after winning the Nations League soccer championship at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Not even Saudi Arabia or FIFA could get Cristiano Ronaldo to the Club World Cup

June 17, 2025

In the end, not even Saudi Arabia or Gianni Infantino could engineer a way to get Cristiano Ronaldo to the Club World Cup. FIFA president Infantino certainly tried – last month making a public appeal ahead of the tournament. Ronaldo’s contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr was due to expire and FIFA’s decision to create a specially-made mini transfer window for its newest competition meant the path was clear for the Real Madrid great to sign a short-term deal with a new team just in time to take part. Given his connection to Saudi Arabia, where he was the face of the oil-rich kingdom’s spectacular drive to sign some of soccer’s biggest stars in recent years, rumours began to circulate about a move to Al Hilal.

Law enforcement personnel stand outside the stadium prior to the Club World Cup group C soccer match between Boca Juniors and Benfica in Miami Gardens, Fla., Monday, June 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Hard Rock Stadium tightens security at Club World Cup after chaotic scene at Copa America

June 17, 2025

Almost a year since the Copa America final nearly ended in tragedy, big numbers of soccer fans are back at Hard Rock Stadium. This time it’s for the Club World Cup with heightened security. A combined crowd of nearly 120,000 supporters have watched the opening two games staged in Miami. They have been greeted by extra checkpoints and a heavy police presence. The sheriff’s office says lessons have been learned from July of last year when ticketless fans rushed the gates for a match between Argentina and Colombia, leaving fans terrified and bloodied as security struggled to contain the crush.

The Club World Cup is finally up and running — and soccer may never be the same

June 15, 2025

After more than a year of uncertainty and criticism, the Club World Cup kicked off in Miami, and soccer may never be the same. At least that’s what FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been telling anyone who would listen. Soccer’s newest tournament is what the sport has been waiting for, Infantino says, and on Saturday, despite considerable pushback and obstacles, he turned his personal passion project into a reality. The Swiss lawyer who holds one of the most powerful positions in the world as head of soccer’s governing body was on hand at a largely full Hard Rock Stadium to watch Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami draw 0-0 with Egyptian team Al Ahly in the opening game.

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, right, attempts a shot on goal during the Club World Cup group A soccer match between Al Ahly and Inter Miami in Miami, Fla., Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Egypt’s Al Ahly battle to scoreless draw in Club World Cup opener

June 15, 2025

Lionel Messi was denied a sensational late winner as Inter Miami had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Egypt’s Al Ahly in the opening game of the Club World Cup on Saturday night. Argentina’s eight-time Ballon d’Or winner looked set to provide a stunning finish in front of a crowd of more than 60,000 – whipping a curling long shot towards the top corner in the sixth minute of added time. But he was denied his moment of glory as Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy pushed the ball onto the crossbar. Messi also shaved the post with a free kick earlier in the second half.

Can Lionel Messi and Inter Miami really spring a surprise at the Club World Cup?

June 13, 2025

The Club World Cup will take Inter Miami from start-up to the global stage. Just five years after its MLS debut, the team co-owned by David Beckham and starring Lionel Messi will have the eyes of the world on it as it kicks off soccer’s newest competition with the chance to be crowned world champion. It’s been a wild ride. Up first for Miami at the Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday is Africa’s most successful team — Al Ahly from Egypt, which has won a record 12 African championships.

FILE - Referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea watches the VAR during the Spanish Copa del Rey final soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at Estadio de La Cartuja stadium in Seville, Spain, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton, file)

Club World Cup refs to wear eye-level cameras but it’s what FIFA won’t show that’s most telling

June 11, 2025

Referees at the Club World Cup will wear eye-level cameras to finally allow fans to see exactly what the officials are looking at during a soccer match. Well… not quite. FIFA has announced the innovation will be implemented at its newly-expanded tournament, which kicks off in Miami on Saturday. But on closer inspection, the technology appears to be more about improving the experience for television viewers than improving the game. For instance, only “non-controversial” images will be shown during the match and while FIFA has not specified what that means, it is likely to include goal-scoring incidents and potential red cards.

JAMES ROBSON Soccer Writer.

Club World Cup crowds have wildly fluctuated, from swathes of empty seats to ‘hostile’ atmospheres

Mbappe discharged from hospital. No timeframe on when Real Madrid star will play at Club World Cup

Not even Saudi Arabia or FIFA could get Cristiano Ronaldo to the Club World Cup

Hard Rock Stadium tightens security at Club World Cup after chaotic scene at Copa America

The Club World Cup is finally up and running — and soccer may never be the same

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Egypt’s Al Ahly battle to scoreless draw in Club World Cup opener

Can Lionel Messi and Inter Miami really spring a surprise at the Club World Cup?

Club World Cup refs to wear eye-level cameras but it’s what FIFA won’t show that’s most telling

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