The inaugural expanded Club World Cup has delivered a spectacle on the pitch, marked by underdog triumphs and captivating support from South American and Arabic fans. However, as the tournament approaches its final stages, concerns over player welfare and lukewarm attendances in the United States have sparked significant debate.
What many anticipated to be a European-dominated affair has instead seen the shock elimination of several UEFA Champions League heavyweights. Brazilian sides Flamengo, Botafogo, and Fluminense, alongside Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, have created some of the tournament's most thrilling stories. Fluminense stunned Inter Milan with a 2-0 win in the Round of 16, while Al Hilal delivered a seismic upset by knocking out Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. Lionel Messi's Inter Miami also played their part earlier in the tournament, defeating Porto 2-1 in the group stage – ending a 13-year unbeaten run for European teams against clubs from other continents in the competition.
