Numbers confirm Real Madrid reign as most popular team at Club World Cup

The ongoing FIFA Club World Cup has not been the exciting tournament many expected. Harsh weather, tough travel schedules, and tiring match plans have all made it difficult for players to perform at their best.

But the problems do not stop there. Fans have not been filling the stadiums either. The first round of the tournament recorded an average attendance of just 34,770 per match, which means only 57% of the seats were occupied across the 12 North American stadiums used so far.

The total attendance for all the group stage matches combined has reached 1,668,959.

According to Sports Business Journal (h/t MARCA), FIFA believes the numbers will rise once the knockout rounds begin, as more fans could turn up for the bigger, more decisive games.

However, the intense heat many cities are facing could still keep people away. Some matches have been played in scorching temperatures, which is tough for both players on the pitch and fans in the stands.