Italian newspaper *Corriere della Sera* has strongly criticized the current Club World Cup format. While prize money is high, there are significant complaints, particularly regarding match times. The paper notes that 35 out of 63 matches have been played before 5 PM, and another 15 at noon (with only two benefiting from the indoor stadium in Atlanta). Extreme temperatures have been a major challenge in most locations, except perhaps Seattle where Inter played its recent games. However, even there, coach Luis Enrique reportedly complained about the ball`s bounce.
Attendance figures are also a point of concern. The average for the first round was around 35,000 spectators per match, but many stadiums appeared half-empty. This is partly due to the large capacity of the venues used. In Miami, for instance, university students could reportedly attend Inter Miami games featuring Messi for only $5.
Despite these operational difficulties, interest in hosting the 2029 Club World Cup is high, with several nations vying for the rights. Spain, already set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Portugal and Morocco, has put forward its candidacy. Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Brazil are also prominent contenders. While Saudi Arabia might consider waiting until 2033, Morocco, another 2030 co-host partner, appears to be a serious bidder for 2029.