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.

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.

Chelsea have kicked off their Club World Cup campaign, but behind the scenes there is still serious transfer work going on.While Enzo Maresca trains his players in the USA, the transfer team are

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.

On a day when their team, and not LAFC, was supposed to be facing Chelsea, supporters of Club León still turned out at the Club World Cup.

LaLiga president Javier Tebas has doubled down on his criticism of the FIFA Club World Cup, saying it's his objective to "eliminate" the competition from the football calendar.

(Reuters) -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.