Pedro Neto (foto: Getty Images)
Chelsea defeated LAFC 2-0 in their Club World Cup opener, but attention shifted to the empty stands at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, sparking major fan debate.
Chelsea opened their Club World Cup campaign with a solid 2-0 victory over Los Angeles FC, but the most talked-about image from the match wasn't on the pitch—it was the empty stands in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The match marked an unusual start to the tournament. Club Leon, the rightful CONCACAF representative, was barred from participating due to multiple ownership regulations, as they share owners with fellow competitor Pachuca. An appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was denied, and LAFC earned their place by defeating Club America in a special playoff.
Despite the off-field drama and a strong showing from LAFC, Chelsea's quality ultimately shone through. Pedro Neto opened the scoring before Enzo Fernandez sealed the win in the second half.
However, the images of thousands of empty seats in a stadium built to host over 70,000 spectators went viral, raising questions about the tournament’s marketing, ticketing strategy, and overall fan engagement—especially in the U.S. market where interest in global club football still lags behind domestic competitions.
Chelsea will next face Flamengo and ES Tunis in the group stage, with fans hoping for better atmospheres in the upcoming fixtures.