What Lessons Has the Club World Cup Taught Us Before the 2026 World Cup?
The recently concluded Club World Cup served as a crucial testing ground for the 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted across Mexico, Canada, and the United States. With five of the tournament’s venues—Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, MetLife Stadium, Lincoln Financial Field, and Lumen Field—also slated for next year’s global showdown, the event provided valuable insights into what fans, players, and organizers can expect.
So, what key takeaways emerged? And what adjustments should FIFA consider before next summer’s spectacle?
Extreme Weather: A Major Challenge for the 2026 World Cup
Record-breaking heat and violent storms significantly disrupted the Club World Cup, raising concerns about similar challenges during the 2026 World Cup.
Heat and Humidity Strain Players and Fans
US regulations mandate halting play if lightning is detected within a 10-mile radius, with delays extending up to 30 minutes post-storm. Six matches were postponed, some for over two hours. Chelsea’s game against Benfica was stopped with just four minutes remaining—only for Benfica to equalize before Chelsea secured an extra-time win.
I think it’s a joke, to be honest, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said, criticizing the weather-related disruptions. It’s not football. If you suspend seven or eight games, then it’s probably not the right place to do the competition.
With temperatures soaring to 39°C in New York and humidity pushing the heat index beyond 50°C, players faced grueling conditions. FIFPro warned that nine of the 2026 host cities have very high or extremely high risk of heat stress injuries.
Clubs adjusted by shortening training sessions, while Juventus and Borussia Dortmund reported multiple players requesting substitutions due to exhaustion. PSG manager Luis Enrique noted that extreme weather isn’t good for the spectacle, as players struggled to perform at their best.
Can FIFA Mitigate Weather Issues?
Five stadiums in 2026 will have retractable roofs, but the expanded 48-team format increases exposure risks. FIFA’s Arsène Wenger suggested reviewing kick-off times and scheduling early matches in covered stadiums to minimize heat impact.
Attendance Struggles: Will Fans Show Up for the 2026 World Cup?
The Club World Cup saw drastically fluctuating attendances—from sold-out fixtures to embarrassingly sparse crowds.
Causes of Low Turnout
– Midweek Afternoon Kick-Offs: Matches scheduled at noon or 3 PM on weekdays discouraged working fans.
– Lack of Local Interest: Many Americans prioritized saving for the 2026 World Cup over an unfamiliar tournament.
– High Ticket Prices: Dynamic pricing led to wild fluctuations, with some tickets dropping from £350 to under £10 days before matches.
Doug Roberson, an American journalist, noted: People aren’t here because it’s Monday at 3 PM… It’s a tournament that doesn’t mean a lot to the US yet.
However, high-profile matches featuring Real Madrid and PSG drew massive crowds, including 81,118 fans for the final. Wenger argued attendance projections underestimated actual turnouts, but marketing remains crucial.
Will This Affect the 2026 World Cup?
FIFA plans to keep similar kick-off times but hopes the World Cup’s prestige will draw crowds. Competing events like the Gold Cup won’t overlap next year, potentially boosting engagement.
Stadium Logistics: Transport and Infrastructure Concerns
Unlike the compact 2022 Qatar World Cup, the USA’s vast geography poses unique challenges.
Transportation Issues
– MetLife Stadium (New Jersey): Fans faced a 30-minute walk in scorching heat after exiting the nearest train stop.
– Hard Rock Stadium (Miami): No nearby metro, forcing long Uber detours due to post-match road closures.
– Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta): Praised for excellent transport links and cooling systems.
Michael Brown, a tournament commentator, noted: The stadiums are great, but logistics need refining. If they implement free transport for ticket holders, it could ease movement.
Turf Troubles: Grass vs. Artificial Surfaces
Teams criticized pitch conditions, with Borussia Dortmund’s Niko Kovac calling the MetLife surface a golf green. Converting NFL fields to grass was rushed, leading to complaints about ball movement. Fortunately, FIFA has more time to address this before 2026.
Security: Heightened Measures in Play
Security was notably tight, particularly during the final—attended by Donald Trump, just a year after an assassination attempt on him.
– Armed snipers were stationed on stadium roofs.
– Counter-terrorism units conducted bag checks and perimeter sweeps.
– Bomb squad personnel monitored high-risk areas.
This level of enforcement is expected to continue during the 2026 World Cup, especially given the event’s global profile.
Final Thoughts: Will the 2026 World Cup Learn from These Challenges?
The Club World Cup highlighted critical areas where FIFA must improve ahead of the 2026 World Cup:
✔ Weather Adaptation: Adjusting schedules and utilizing covered stadiums.
✔ Fan Engagement: Better marketing and reasonable ticket pricing.
✔ Infrastructure: Enhanced transport links and pitch quality.
✔ Security: Maintaining rigorous but efficient safety protocols.
While the US offers world-class facilities and growing football interest, logistical refinements are vital. If FIFA applies these lessons, the 2026 World Cup could set a new standard for global tournaments.
