The Club World Cup hasn’t yet blossomed into the spectacle promised by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, but there’s still time for the revamped tournament to capture hearts and minds.
Its grand expansion meant 32 teams started with the hope of claiming global glory, but only 16 remain following the conclusion of the group stages.
Projections of European domination haven’t quite come to pass, with the form of Brazil’s representatives, Mamelodi Sundowns’ exuberance and Auckland City’s point emerging as some of the stories of the tournament so far.
There are things wrong with this expanded competition, no doubt, but the sport’s inherent beauty lies deep within. South American fervency has come to the fore, and stars you perhaps hadn’t heard of before June 14 have dazzled on the sun-kissed American stage.
Here is Team of the Group Stage at the Club World Cup.
Watch the FIFA Club World Cup live and on-demand here
