FIFA Club World Cup interest muted in Philly amid immigration raid fears
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The FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off Monday in Philadelphia, is being met with dampened enthusiasm nationwide as the Trump administration's immigration crackdown raises fears among fans.
The big picture: The first-of-its-kind tourney spotlighting top professional teams across the globe serves as a precursor for when the U.S. hosts the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada.
- And 2026 organizers are already warning that immigration concerns may affect one of the world's most-watched sporting events, per the AP.
State of play: Thousands of seats were still available for the club tournament nationwide, as of this week, which FIFA officials have attributed in part to fan concerns about their visa status, The New York Times reports.
- Visa wait times for several countries, like Colombia, extend beyond the 2026 World Cup.
- And FIFA has repeatedly lowered ticket prices for the Club World Cup due to poor sales.
Friction point: U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently posted on social media that agents will be "suited and booted ready to provide security for the first round of games" for the Club World Cup, per The Athletic.
- The post was later removed after FIFA expressed concerns about it.
Zoom in: Leading up to Monday night's first-round Club World Cup match in Philly at Lincoln Financial Field, excitement in the region appears somewhat muted.
- The prices of tickets to see Brazil's Flamengo face Tunisian club Espérance de Tunis at 9pm started at $27 as of Friday, per FIFA's official ticket site. And tickets on the secondary market were as cheap as $9.
Between the lines: Fears about possible immigration raids forced Flamengo's fan clubs to cancel some watch parties and to shelve discussions of group travel to matches in Philly and Orlando, per the Times.
- Yes, but: Many supporters from Flamengo's fan clubs are still making the trek to Philly, with meetups and parties planned.
What they're saying: Luis Bitencourt, president of Washington, D.C.'s, Flamengo chapter, tells Axios that he put out an advisory to fans heading to Philly, noting any misbehavior could attract unwanted attention.
- "It is a time of uncertainty," he says. "I don't know if I'm going to have to prove if I'm a citizen. Your actions could impact the lives of several people around you."
Visit Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, the city's top tourism boosters, declined Axios' requests for comment.
What's ahead: Eight Club World Cup matches are planned in Philly through July 4.