Club World Cup: Football spectacle, in the shadow of social tensions in Los Angeles

The Club World Cup, in its new expanded format, debuts on Saturday, June 14, in the United States, and promises to be the largest inter-club tournament in FIFA history. With 32 participating teams and a total of 63 matches scheduled until July 13, the event brings together some of the greatest players of the moment, the passion of the fans and a huge stake: total prizes of one billion dollars. However, the start of the tournament is not without challenges, especially against the backdrop of massive demonstrations in Los Angeles, where President Donald Trump's anti-immigration policy has triggered large protest movements. Despite this tense situation, the organizers and FIFA claim that the impact on the conduct of the competition is, for the time being, minimal.

• Los Angeles under military protection, but no direct impact on matches

Donald Trump has deployed 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles amid protests against his immigration policies. However, FIFA says the tournament is not in danger and security measures are being monitored at all times. The city's hotspot area has been placed under a nighttime curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. by Mayor Karen Bass. The measure partially affects the activities of Atletico Madrid, who are staying at the Conrad Hotel in the city center, in an area directly affected by the restrictions. The Spanish club will have to comply with these strict rules for the entire duration of their stay, estimated at two weeks. In contrast, PSG, which has set up its headquarters in Newport Beach, southeast of the city, is completely safe from the demonstrations. The French team is quietly training at the University of Irvine, more than 60 kilometers from the affected areas, and the club's activities, including the opening of a temporary boutique on Melrose Avenue, are proceeding normally.

• Rose Bowl Stadium - a symbol of football, far from protests

PSG's first match in the competition, against Atletico Madrid, will take place at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, northeast of Los Angeles, far from the center of the protests. With a capacity of more than 90,000 seats, the stadium will benefit from increased security measures, but organizers assure that spectators will not be affected. FIFA officials, together with local authorities, are monitoring in real time any developments that could influence the safety of players, technical staff and the public. In the event of unexpected incidents, security plans are ready to be adapted immediately.

• Real Madrid - the most anticipated debut, tickets sold out

On the other side of the country, in Miami, Real Madrid is preparing for a spectacular debut in front of a packed stadium. According to the Spanish daily Marca, the 65,326 tickets for the Madrid team's inaugural match against Saudi team Al-Hilal, at the Hard Rock Stadium, were sold out a few weeks ago. This match also marks the debut of Xabi Alonso as coach of the Galacticos, which is why interest is huge. The only tickets available can only be purchased through the resale platform Ticketmaster, where the cheapest seats start at around $300 - a high price, but justified by the context of the event.

• Messi and Inter Miami, timid start in sales

In contrast to the enthusiasm of Real Madrid fans, the demand for tickets for the opening match of the competition - which pits local team Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, against the Egyptian team Al-Ahly - was below expectations. According to the EFE agency, FIFA was forced to reduce ticket prices for this match, which will also take place at the Hard Rock Stadium. However, organizers are optimistic that, as the tournament progresses, the interest of the American public in the competition will grow, especially in the context of the presence of legendary clubs and an impressive media production.

• A new chapter for world football

The 2025 Club World Cup is more than a sports competition: it is a test for the future of global football. The new format brings together 32 clubs from all corners of the world and promises an unprecedented spectacle. Although the socio-political context in some host regions raises questions, the organization so far demonstrates FIFA's ability to manage large-scale events in complex circumstances. It remains to be seen how the situation in Los Angeles will evolve and whether security measures will be able to keep the competition in a safe and controversy-free area.