Chelsea's head coach, Enzo Maresca, described the atmosphere during his team's opening match in the FIFA Club World Cup as "strange," given the significant number of empty seats at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Blues secured a 2-0 victory against Los Angeles FC, but the attendance was only 22,137 in a stadium with a capacity of 71,000, leaving nearly 50,000 seats unoccupied.

Maresca remarked on the unusual environment, saying, "The stadium was almost empty, not full." He emphasized the need for professionalism and adaptability in such situations, highlighting that players must maintain their focus regardless of the crowd size. The coach expressed hope for a better turnout in their next match against Brazilian side Flamengo, anticipating a lively atmosphere due to the passionate fanbase of Brazilian teams.

Attendance issues were contrasted with the significant crowds at other matches in the tournament; over 60,000 fans attended the opening game featuring Inter Miami and Al Ahly, while 80,000 were present for the clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid. The scheduling of Chelsea's match at 3 PM on a Monday was considered a contributing factor to the low turnout, as many fans were likely unable to attend due to work commitments.

LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo noted the variability in attendance from game to game, suggesting that it would be premature to judge the success of FIFA's new expanded tournament based on just one match. He encouraged waiting until the conclusion of the tournament for a more comprehensive assessment of fan engagement.

Overall, the low attendance for Chelsea's opening match raises questions about the tournament's appeal and scheduling, as the team hopes for a more supportive crowd in their upcoming fixtures.