Chelsea Manager Points Out 'Strange' Problem With FIFA Club World Cup After 2-0 Win originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

There were a reported 48,863 empty seats in the stadium as Chelsea defeated LAFC, but the TV viewing figures back in the UK exceeded expectations. Channel 5 purchased the rights to air 23 Club World Cup games from DAZN.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said the atmosphere at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was "a bit strange" as his side began their Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in front of swathes of empty seats.

Chelsea are aiming to claim their second piece of silverware this year at the 2025 Club World Cup. Enzo Maresca's side are in the United States this summer for the newly-expanded Club World Cup, which sees 32 teams take part.

The last side to book their place at the Club World Cup face off against one of the first to have stamped their passage to the United States on Sunday as Chelsea and Los Angeles FC meet at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Arena.

Flamengo's dominant 2-0 victory over Esperance de Tunis on Monday will have caught the attention of Group D favourites Chelsea, and suggests the Brazilian side could have a significant impact at FIFA's revamped tournament.

Chelsea have confirmed their squad for the Club World Cup with Andrey Santos and Liam Delap included but no place for Djordje Petrovic. Chelsea kick off their campaign in FIFA’s newly-expanded tournament next week,