The US national anthem, which had been played one hour before kick-off at every previous Club World Cup game as a regular part of the pre-game schedule, was moved up to take place just before the start of the game with Trump due to be present. When Trump was shown on stadium video boards standing for the anthem, the crowd reacted with booing for several seconds.
I’m still surprised that the anthem had been sung an hour before kicks-off. Is this some Federal law for sporting events?
The bar I was in was pretty loud every time tRump was shown on the screen.
Not sure what the boxing guy was doing, besides getting paid handsomely, saying his trademarked boxing phrase for a soccer match.
Qualification, except for one match, was held in already existing tournaments.
Only 32*25 = 800 players are affected by the one-month-long tournament. They can work on rest schedules before and after, as there is significant time for planning (except for the recently-transferred). Perhaps no international matches in June (or whatever precedes the next one, possibly in Saudi Arabia, so probably in Dec or Jan).
Agreed. How do “they” know who the true patriots are if no one is there? I don’t recall seeing anyone in the bar I was in stand, if they were not already standing, for it. Myself included. Deport me all you want.
I don’t recall the US playing its anthem at its past Olympics except, of course, after it won a medal. I assume it was not played before CONCACAF matches not involving the US? I do expect it to be played any time Trump is in the house.
Maybe the US should go back to playing the anthem in movie theatres. Can’t be too patriotic, eh?
Only giving free tickets to those who bought other tickets, though. Not trying to get a World Record crowd for a Women’s match by just giving them away, as FCB tried to do a few years ago.
If that is their strategy at the WC, I’m interested in snatching up tickets that other got for free but don’t want to attend.
Real Madrid don’t want to be involved in the Club World Cup…
No, wait, they DO!
Every TWO years might be a stretch, especially since RM are not one of the teams at the moment that would be chosen to take part in the next one. No matter, they’d still make money touring in late July.
Also, not sure how this affects the UEFA club or country schedule in 2027, unless it would be held in Winter. More matches, yes, but only for 12 teams. Unlike the new Champions League which has 36 teams play 8 Group matches instead of 32 playing 6, and 16 of those playing an extra two matches.
It would mean a major championship every year for some Euro players: two CWC, Olympics (younger men only who don’t even have to be released), and WC. No time off, so clubs and countries would have to work that out during the season.