The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has been a blast in terms of goals, galore, and fixtures. But despite generating a remarkable output on the pitch, the attendance in the stadiums has been a far cry from what the organizers expected it to be. And then, there is women’s soccer, where a typical North American rivalry clash featuring the USWNT and Canada had lured in a huge crowd at the stadium.

In fact, by “huge crowd,” we mean sold out! Held at Washington, D.C.’s Audi Field on Wednesday, July 2, today’s Allstate Continental Clásico between the American ladies and the Canucks was truly a box office sweep out, with not even a single ticket left unsold on Ticketmaster. In fact, devoted fans who couldn’t secure tickets were still searching through verified resellers even as the match was about to kick off.

That’s why today’s match at Audi Field drew an announced attendance of around 19,215 in a 20,000-seat stadium, making it a resounding success. Meanwhile, as for the sold-out part, it was somewhat of a smack in the face for FIFA, which is currently hosting the supposed prestigious men’s tournament like the Club World Cup on the same soil.

While they’re struggling to generate any real atmosphere, here’s the USWNT casually drawing huge crowds — not just against Canada, but also pulling off a staggering attendance feat of 24,016 fans at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium and 18,504 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, for their doubleheader against the Republic of Ireland.

Heck, even last night’s CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal featuring the US Men’s National Team and Guatemala at the 22,423-seat Energizer Park in St. Louis, Missouri, was a complete sellout. But the Club World Cup? Well, let’s just say FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s confident promise to U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office that “millions of people will be coming” has rather spectacularly backfired.

Or even terms like “a big bang” and “the most coveted competition in club football” fell short and did not sell. That is because mere international friendlies or domestic clashes of MLS or even NWSL, where the current average attendance exceeds 11,000, are a clear indication that the Club World Cup has fallen flat. Yet, somehow, this is something that hardly concerns a few!

Now, it’s not like European men’s clashes don’t garner attendances; two years ago, Chelsea faced fellow Premier League side Newcastle at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, drawing a sold-out crowd of nearly 70,000. Even the stadium, being home to Atlanta United, generally pulls in an average of 44,037 fans per match.

And then, there is the Club World Cup, where the Group D opener between Chelsea and Los Angeles FC had only 22,137 spectators in the exact Atlanta stadium. Well, the blame falls on FIFA for scheduling a soccer match at 3 pm local time on a working Monday, resulting in swathes of empty seats elsewhere and leaving fans frustrated.

Regardless, the good thing is that the USWNT didn’t disappoint today, not only in terms of the attendance but also on the pitch.

Emma Hayes’ USWNT concludes a successful window

The 4X World Champions secured an emphatic 3-0 victory over Canada. It was a complete display of dominance from the hosts who outshone their arch-rivals in nearly every department. With 22 shots — eight of them on target — compared to Canada’s modest seven attempts, with only three being on target, the USWNT kept their opponents under constant pressure.

They also commanded 66% possession, completed 558 passes at an impressive 88% accuracy, and kept their fouls to just five, while Canada struggled with 34% possession, 296 passes at 78% accuracy, and committed 13 fouls. As for the goal-fiesta, it began within 17 minutes into the game, with Sam Coffey initiating the scoreboard for the American ladies.

Claire Hutton managed to double the lead in the 36th minute. Though in the second half, the Canucks were expected to secure at least a consolation, let alone make a comeback, the USA had an on-point defense. And just when things were about to get over, Yazmeen Ryan found her name on the scoresheet, helping to down Casey Stoney’s side.

This win is a cherry on top for their June/July window, having finished with 11 goals and zero goals conceded, thanks to a couple of 4-0 wins against the Republic of Ireland in the doubleheader clash.