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Where to watch the FIFA Club World Cup final in Dubai: Chelsea vs PSG on Sunday July 13

Where to watch the FIFA Club World Cup final in Dubai: Chelsea vs PSG on Sunday July 13

Time Out Dubai4 days ago
Following a month of upsets, great goals and outstanding football, it all comes down to two worthy finalists.
The FIFA Club World Cup is an expanded 32-team tournament featuring continental champions of Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Oceania.
In 2025, it is being played in the United States, so football fans living in Dubai will need to be wary of the difference in time zones when making plans.
There have been some shocks along the way with Saudi club Al Hilal knocking out Manchester City and Brazilian side Fluminense defeating Italian giants Inter.
The final will be held on Sunday July 13 at 11pm GST and sees English giants Chelsea take on the reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Below, we let you know which teams qualified for the tournament and where to watch the FIFA Club World Cup in Dubai.
What is the FIFA Club World Cup?
In short, this is the club version of the quadrennial international knockout competition that makes football beloved across the globe.
It means that instead of the likes of Spain and France, you'll see Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Previous editions of the Club World Cup have just featured the previous year's winners of every continental competition – such as the UEFA Champions League – but in 2025 the tournament will expand to 32 teams.
The expansion has meant that qualification is slightly more complicated with four slots set aside for Asia, Africa and North America, six slots for South America, 12 slots for Europe and a slot each for Oceania and the tournament hosts.
How Chelsea and PSG reached the final
Chelsea have had an impressive tournament, facing teams from the USA, Brazil, Tunisia and Portugal during their run to the final.
Comfortable wins against LAFC and ES Tunis in the group stage came either side of a humbling defeat at the hands of Flamengo.
The English club then swept aside Benfica, Palmeiras and Fluminense en route to Sunday's final.
PSG have continued their sensational form which saw them come into the tournament as favourites.
The French and European champions have won 4-0 three times so far, brushing aside Atletico Madrid, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and, perhaps most impressively, Real Madrid.
A routine 2-0 win against Seattle Sounders secured their place in the knockout rounds, following a surprise defeat in the group stage to Botafogo.
In the quarter final, they were comfortable 2-0 winners over Bayern Munich despite getting two men sent off.
So, who is actually playing in the FIFA Club World Cup?
The official FIFA Club World Cup groups (Credit: FIFA)
The FIFA Club World Cup will have Emirati representation in the form of the 2024 Asian Champions League winners Al Ain of Abu Dhabi.
Saudi club Al-Hilal, who have the likes of João Cancelo and Sergej Milinković-Savić in their team, qualify as 2021 Asian champions.
The two GCC regional sides will be joined by 2022 Asian champions Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan and the best-ranked remaining Asian club Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea.
Africa will be represented by Egyptian club Al Ahly – who won the African Champions League in 2021, 2023 and 2024 – and the 2022 champions Wydad Casablanca.
Espérance de Tunis of Tunisia and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa take up the remaining two slots as the next best-ranked clubs in Africa.
Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City qualify as recent UEFA Champions League winners and the remaining European slots are taken up by the best-ranked eligible teams from the past four years.
(Credit: VOX)
These nine clubs, coincidentally, include the most recent UEFA Champions League finalists Paris Saint-Germain and Internazionale.
The other European clubs are Bayern Munich, Porto, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Atlético Madrid and Reb Bull Salzburg.
South America will be represented by the four most recent Copa Libertadores winners – Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense and Botafogo – who all hail from Brazil. Argentinian giants River Plate and Boca Juniors take up the remaining two slots.
North America will be represented by three recent winners of the CONCACAF Champions League – Monterrey and Pachuca of Mexico plus Seattle Sounders – and play-off winner Los Angeles FC. Lionel Messi's Inter Miami take up the host slot.
Auckland City, an amateur team from New Zealand, will represent Oceania having won the last four editions of the OFC Champions League.
Where to watch the FIFA Club World Cup in Dubai
As a result of the tournament being held in the United States, kick-off times for viewers in the UAE will be a little later than usual.
Matches will be broadcast live on DAZN across Dubai – but if you want to enjoy the action while out and about, check out our list below.
71 Sports Bar
This bar is a go-to venue for any sport-lover in Dubai, particularly if you've got a big group. Somewhere to take the whole gang, you've got the option of the pool table if the match isn't going to plan.
Open 9am – midnight. Trump International Golf Club Dubai, DAMAC Hills. (04 245 3988).
Barasti
Head to Barasti to watch the UEFA Champions League final in Dubai (Credit: Barasti)
Barasti is a fail-safe option if you're looking for a lively spot to watch the match. High tables and lounging areas face the humongous screen that sits up front and centre outside, while smaller screens are dotted around inside if you can't find space.
Open daily 9am-3am. Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai Marina, barastibeach.com (04 318 1313).
Bedrock
(Credit: Bedrock)
Bedrock is a modern sports bar with a fun twist. You'll be able to watch the FIFA Club World Cup on their 20 TV screens across the bar. Happy days. What's more, you'll also find darts boards and a golf simulator to blow off some steam should your team lose. Win-win.
Open daily noon-2am. Pier 7 in Marina Promenade, Dubai
Belgian Café
(Credit: Belgian Cafe)
Celebrate all things from Belgium here with special drinks and bites offers available throughout the season. Giant screens will show the FIFA Club World Cup action throughout the summer and you can expect a lively atmosphere.
No minimum spend. Grand Millennium Dubai, Barsha Heights, belgianbeercafedubai.ae (04 423 4100).
Brighton Rock
(Credit: Brighton Rock)
This lively spot in JBR offers classic British fare. Usually broadcasts a wide variety of sports with the Club World Cup taking prime spot during the summer. Special deals include a daily happy hour until 8pm and daily two-for-one deals.
Mon – Thu (2pm – 3am), Fri – Sat (noon – 3am), Sun (noon – 1am). Hilton Dubai The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residences (058 552 7017).
Brooklyn Bar Dubai
Credit: Brooklyn Bar Dubai
There are loads of screens so you'll always have a good view, the draught hops list is decent and there are top deals on all the time. You'll find a daily happy hour until 9pm and daily deals on food.
Open daily noon – 3am. Elite Byblos Hotel, Al Barsha, @brooklydubai (04 455 4800).
Chalco's Cantina
Credit: Chalco's Catina
Located in the heart of Dubai Marina, this Mexican restaurant will have multiple big screens showing all the action. Football fans can tuck into buckets of hops from Dhs125, short measures for Dhs25 and a selection of Mexican bites for only Dhs35.
Marina Gate, Dubai Marina, chalcoscantina.ae (052 112 8923).
CLAW BBQ
(Credit: Supplied)
With a seven-hour happy hour, both CLAW locations in Dubai (JBR and the Palm) have become havens for football fans. For those who want a break from the action, there's pinball, air hockey, pool, a Bucking Bronco and more.
Open Mon-Thu, noon-2am, Fri noon-3am, Sat 8am-3am, Sun 8am-2am. Pavilion at the Beach, Dubai Marina (04 577 4357).
Open Sun-Thu noon-2am, Fri-Sat noon-3am. Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah (04 230 0054).
Coterie Social
With 19 high definition screens, this modern venue is worth considering as a place to watch the FIFA Club World Cup. The food is modern British comfort food. Think fish and chips, savoury pies, sticky toffee pudding and more. You'll also find UK-style mixed drinks here.
Open 8am-2am. Level 2, IBN Battuta Mall (04 570 8072).
Courtyard
Elevate your match day further with delicious bites from the Courtyard's a la carte menu, featuring an array of modern Mediterranean dishes accompanied by refreshing sips. With its stylish décor and vibrant surroundings, Vida Creek Harbour provides the perfect setting to not just watch the game but to experience it in style.
Vida Creek Harbour. (04 428 8888).
Ernst Biergarten & Wirtshaus
(Credit: Ernst)
Any fan of hops will know all about Ernst. Located at 25hours Hotel One Central, two large screens will show the FIFA Club World Cup.
Open noon – 1am. 25 Hours Hotel One Central, Trade Center Street (04 2102 51).
Fibber Magee's
Screens are dotted everywhere around this much-loved Irish pub, making it a perfect venue to watch the FIFA Club World Cup. If you're expecting to be able to enjoy the football in a quiet setting look elsewhere – because Fibbers seems to be a perennial home to a lively, Irish atmosphere. You'll find a six-hour happy hour between 2pm and 8pm with drinks starting from Dhs25, a Sunday to Friday happy hour between 1pm and 7pm as well as a Sunday roast from Dhs99.
Open daily 8am-3am. Saeed Tower One, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 332 2400).
Open Mun-Thu 9am-2am, Fri-Sat 9am-3am. Social Hotel, Barsha Heights. (04 332 2400)
garden on 8
Credit: Garden on 8
With loads of screens (and two huge ones) dotted around the terrace area, you needn't look further for a top place to watch the FIFA Club World Cup in Dubai. The food menu offers classic pub fare – think burgers, pizzas, and some of the best chips about. Count us in.
Open noon-2am. Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City (04 427 1000).
Goose Island Tap House
Where to watch the FIFA Club World Cup in Dubai (Credit: Goose Island Tap House)
Goose Island is not just a sports bar for those who like to watch sport, it's also a popular choice for fans who want some friendly competition of their own as they eagerly await kick off. There are now two Goose Island venues in Dubai and they're both well worth checking out.
Happy hour is between noon and 6pm on Saturday and Sunday, extending until 8pm on weekdays at both venues.
Open Sun-Wed noon-2am, Thu-Sat noon-3am. FIVE Jumeirah Village, Jumeirah Village Circle, (04 455 9989).
Open Mon – Thu noon – 2am, Fri – Sat 10am – 3am, Sun 10am – 2am. FIVE LUXE, JBR, gooseislanddubai.com (04 275 9999).
H Bar
H Bar, located in The H Dubai Hotel, is a top spot to catch the football. Boasting an all-day drinks promotion where guests can avail tasty discounts on hops, plus a happy hour until 7pm for those that want to get warmed up early, H Bar will be sure to keep you refreshed from kick-off to the final whistle. With the match playing on all three big screens in the bar, you won't miss a second of the action.
Open 12.30pm-2am. Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centre. hhoteldubai.com (04 501 8620).
Huddle Sports Bar & Grill
Credit: The Huddle Bar
This sports bar in Bur Dubai will be screening the big games during the tournament on massive screens. Expect deals on drinks and bites. Grab a pint and a bite to eat during the FIFA Club World Cup.
Open daily until 3am. Huddle Sports Bar & Grill, Citymax Hotel, Kuwait Street (050 100 7065).
ICON Bar & Lounge
(Credit: Icon Sports Bar)
This British-style bar is one of the most chilled-out spots in town to watch sport – and the FIFA Club World Cup is no different. What's more, the menu's stacked with bar bites and drink specials.
Open daily noon-3am. Radisson Blu Media City, Dubai Media City ( 04 366 9111).
Logs & Embers
Jam-packed with plenty of screens showing the action from stateside, this American smokehouse looks to combine sport with slow-cooked meat and seafood.
Open Mon-Thu 11am-midnight, Fri 11am-1am, Sat – Sun 10am-1am. Club Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah (052 109 6802).
McCafferty's
No matter which location of McCafferty's Irish bar you visit (they have one in JVC and another in Al Furjan) you can watch the tournament on the giant LED screens on the terraces. Whether moving about the venue or staying inside, HD TVs streaming the games are dotted throughout so you won't miss a thing. Craving Irish comfort food? Pick one of the belly-busting items on the menu.
Open daily 10 am-2am. Circle Mall, JVC. mccaffertysbars.com (058 599 3623).
Open Sun-Thu 10am-midnight, Fri-Sat 10am-2am. Jebel Ali Village, Al Furjan. mccaffertysbars.com (04 422 1491).
Open Mon-Thu 11am-1am, Fri 11am-2am, Sat-Sun 9am-2am. Pyramids Wafi, Oud Metha. mccaffertysbars.com (058 507 3623).
McGettigan's
Credit: McGettigan's
There aren't many better places to watch sport in Dubai than at one of the city's McGettigan's branches. With screens dotted around every bar, these staple Irish pubs will be showing the football.
You'll find a happy hour offering between Sunday and Friday at the Souk Madinat Jumeirah and the Factory on The Palm until 8pm.
Open Mon – Thu noon – 2am, Fri noon – 3am, Sat – Sun 10am-3am. Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Cluster J, JLT (04 356 0470).
Open Sun-Thu noon-2am, Fri-Sat noon-3am. Dubai World Trade Centre (04 262 0407).
Open Mon-Thu 4pm-1am, Fri-Sun noon-2am. Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah (04 230 0062).
Open Mon-Thu noon-2am, Fri 12pm-3am, Sat 10am-3am, Sun 10am-2am. Souk Madinat Jumeirah (04 447 0219).
Open Mon-Fri 12.30pm-3am, Fri-Sat 10am-3am. The Walk, JBR (04 318 2580).
Open Mon – Wed 4pm – 1am, Thu and Sun noon-1am, Fri-Sat noon – 2am. Dubai Science Park, Al Barsha South. (04 567 1400)
McGettigan's Factory
Credit: McGettigan's
McGettigan's Factory at Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah has special group and individual packages throughout the tournament. Get unlimited drinks for two hours and front-row views for a minimum of 10 guests at Dhs199 per person or grab an individual package at Dhs219 for a solo trip. Bites include an Irish spice bag, steak sandwich and creamy shellfish risotto.
Various packages. Sun Jun 15 – Sun Jul 15. Mon – Thu (4pm – 2am), Fri (noon – 2am) Sat – Sun (noon – 2am). McGettigan's Factory, Palm Jumeirah. (04 230 0063) @mcgettigansfactorythepalm. factorythepalm.com
Mezzanine Bar & Kitchen
With 12 screens, two levels, live music and a Friday brunch, Mezzanine Bar & Kitchen is a top venue to watch football in Dubai. It's an affordable spot where you can sit back and enjoy the Premier League in a relaxed and comfortable setting.
Happy hour is every day between noon and 7pm with drinks starting from Dhs29.
Open daily 10am-3am. Souk Madinat Jumeirah, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street (058 599 4659).
Nell Gwynne
If you're after affordable pints and a chilled-out spot to watch football, Nell Gwynne could be the place for you. In Dubai Marina, it's a prime location with a price list that's not overbearing. There are deals on hops buckets costing Dhs136 daily from 1pm and a happy hour from noon until 8pm every day.
Open Mon-Fri 11am-3am, Sat-Sun 9am-3am. Marina Byblos Hotel, Al Hubob Sreet, Dubai Marina (04 448 8222).
Nelson's
If a traditional pub vibe is what you are after while watching the FIFA Club World Cup in Dubai then Nelson's at Media Rotana could work for you. With a wide array of hops on tap, it's a winner.
Open Sat-Wed noon-2am, Thu and Fri noon-3am. Rotana Media, Barsha Heights, rotana.com (04 435 0000).
Offside
Want to see kick-off on a 200-inch screen? Check out Offside in Dubai Marina. There is an additional eight screens and it's good for groups with lots of long tables and plenty of things to do before the games begin.
Open noon-3am. JA Ocean View Hotel, JBR. offsidedubai.com (056 522 0219).
Origins
Don't miss out on the action with these fantastic opportunities to watch the Club World Cup in style at Vida Hotels and Resorts. Gather your friends, embrace the football fever, and enjoy every moment of the action in a very pretty setting. Deals include combo offers starting from just Dhs35 on drinks and bites.
Vida Emirates Hills (04 872 8888).
Phileas Fogg
Happy hour anyone? Credit: Phileas Fogg's
At Phileas Fogg you can watch the FIFA Club World Cup with a gorgeous golf course as your backdrop. If you want company, head over to the 33,000 sq ft space complete with a restaurant, pub, garden and a covered amphitheatre that can host up to 1,000 people. You will not be short of an atmosphere.
Open Mon-Thu 11am-2am Fri-Sun 8am-3am. Montgomerie Golf Academy, Emirates Hills, foggs.xyz (04 572 4477).
Seven Sports Bar
If you haven't been to Seven Sports Bar at NH Collection The Palm yet, now could be your time. With 13 big screens and spacious seating, it's as good a venue as any to watch the FIFA Club World Cup in Dubai.
Open noon-2am. NH Collection Dubai The Palm, Palm Jumeirah (056 687 6319).
The Blacksmith
Where to celebrate watch the FIFA Club World Cup: The best treats, deals and things to do (Credit: Supplied)
This Southern-style smokehouse is packed with big screens and will be putting on some not-to-be-missed drinks deals. Happy hour runs from 2pm until 8pm and again from 10pm until 1am with grape priced from as little as Dhs28.
Open daily 2pm-2am. Wyndham Dubai Marina. info@theblacksmithdubai.com (04 4078 873).
The Irish Village
(Credit: The Irish Village)
A favourite among sports-lovers in Dubai, this popular Irish pub is a cracking place to watch football. Having operated at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium for more than 20 years, it's a Dubai institution – and its Studio City venue is just as good.
Open Sun-Thu 11am-1am, Fri-Sat 11am-2am. Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Garhoud (04 282 4750).
Open Sun-Thu 11am-1am, Fri-Sat 11am-2am. Studio One, Dubai Studio City (04 241 8444).
The Nine Gastropub
(Credit: The Nine)
There's a whole host of big screens, extended happy hours during all events, and more. Throughout the season the Friday, Saturday and Sunday kick-offs will all be covered with classic British food including a traditional Sunday roast and a lovely fry-up on Saturdays. Happy hour is every day between 4pm and 7pm with three beverages priced from Dhs129.
11.30am – 1am daily. Wafi, Sheikh Rashid Rd, Umm Hurair 2. Dine.Dubaitheobelisk@sofitel.com
The Stables
(Credit: The Stables)
With one large screen and multiple LED screens placed throughout this British gastropub, you won't miss a single moment. It serves up classic British fare from hearty pies and fish and chips.
noon – 3am (Sun – Thu). noon – 3.30am (Fri – Sat). The Stables Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centre 1. @thestablesdubai (054 417 7028)
The Underground Pub
Credit: The Underground Pub
The Underground Pub will be showing the big game on HD screens. Expect drinks deals and tasty bar bites throughout the tournament.
Open daily noon-3am, Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection (04 399 500).
UBK – Urban Bar & Kitchen
Credit: UBK
Expect regular special promotions throughout the season with new additions to the menu and drinks deals aplenty. With multiple screens, plenty of space and a lively vibe, it's set to be a fun place to be when it all kicks off.
noon – 2am. Mövenpick Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Cluster A, JLT, @ubkdubai (04 438 0000).
Other things to do in Dubai
Dubai's 10 best sports bars, with great beverages and banging food
Catch all the big games at these brilliant sports bars in Dubai
Dubai happy hours: Best bar deals, offers and discounts
Cheap drinks every night of the week? You've come to the right place
Dubai ladies' night list: absolutely brilliant deals, offers and discounts
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I struggle to understand - if you suspend seven or eight games then it's probably not the right place to do the competition."Fifa were fortunate storms didn't impact evening games, which could have seen postponements until the following day, but it is a possibility for next were also one of many teams to struggle with the extreme have soared to 39C in New York and humidity has made it feel even worse - more than 50C on the heat state that nine of next year's 16 host cities have "very high" or "extremely high" risk of heat stress injuries during the had to arrange shorter training sessions, with Maresca saying "otherwise you don't save energy for the game". Ten Juventus players asked to be substituted during their defeat by Real Madrid, said their manager Igor Dortmund subs watched the first half of one game from the changing room to avoid the sun - and manager Niko Kovac said he was "sweating like I've just come out of a sauna".PSG boss Luis Enrique said: "It's not good for the spectacle because it's difficult to play in that position."Meanwhile, the sniffer dogs at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia were wearing Crocs due to the temperature of the concrete told BBC Sport: "The weather has obviously been something all the teams have had to deal with. It's affected the fans too - some of the days, the heat was so extreme."It was just ridiculous and it something that is going to affect everyone next year. Teams and fans will have to be ready for it."On the plus side, there will be five stadiums with roofs - as opposed to just one in Atlanta this summer - but the expansion of the tournament to 48 teams means significant risks remain. Possible solutions are planning around kick-off times to avoid playing in hot cities in the middle of the day, as so often happened at the Club World Cup, while seven of the venues used this summer won't be used in 2026."The weather has been hot but of course we can see about kick-off times, review and possibly look at hiding games earlier in the day at stadiums with roofs," said former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, Fifa's chief of global football development. Will the crowds come out to USA 26? The past month has brought a mixed bag when it comes to attendances - ranging from the sold-out to the embarrassingly matches failed to get more than 10,000 fans - with the lowest attendance the 3,412 who watched Mamelodi Sundowns beat Ulsan HD there have been 17 crowds of 60,000 or more - with the highest the 81,118 who saw Chelsea beat Paris St-Germain in Sunday's of the highest attendances were at games involving PSG or Real Madrid."We believe the attendances were projected as low and in reality were much higher," said reason given for low attendances have been the kick-off times, with many being at noon or 3pm on a weekday. American journalist Doug Roberson said after Chelsea's opener against Los Angeles attracted just 22,000: "It's not because people here don't care about soccer. The people aren't here because it's Monday at 3pm. Frankly I am surprised there are as many as there are."It's a tournament that doesn't mean a lot to people in the US because it's new. I would imagine paying to come to a tournament you don't know didn't appeal because the World Cup is coming next year and people are trying to save money for that."If I were Fifa, for the World Cup I would have game times where more people could come. It is something to think about - and the ticket prices were ridiculous."Jonathan Tannenwald, chief soccer correspondent for the Philadelphia Inquirer, said: "We will all show up for the World Cup next summer but for the Club World Cup they needed to market it to explain."Fifa are expected to stick with the same kick-off times during next summer's World Cup so will be relying on the appeal of the tournament to cut through and will be asking local fans to take time off work to attend matches. The Gold Cup has also been going on over the past few weeks, played at non-Club World Cup venues in the US, attracting attention from TV audiences. This competing factor won't be a problem next year. Fifa's policy of dynamic ticket pricing - where the cost of tickets can change regularly - has also been controversial and it is a policy they are expecting to carry into next year's prices for Chelsea's semi-final against Fluminense reportedly dropped from almost £350 to less than £10 in the week before the for the Blues' quarter-final against Palmeiras ended up at £8 - with fans talking about having paid over £250 when they first went on said: "When I've been travelling it feels like a lot of Americans are starting to speak about it now and know it is going on - whoever you speak to, they go 'oh yeah it's the football'."It is still growing, of course - the public's awareness of it has got loads better than it was a few years ago but there is still a way to go, not just to spread the word that it is happening but to get people out here used to going to football games or watching matches on TV."It's still not the main sport out here but that's the next step. There is so much room for growth but if you go to a lot of bars and restaurants, then they are still showing a lot of baseball when the football is on." What have the stadiums and transport links been like? The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was played within a radius of 43 air-conditioned public metro system, which was free to use for fans with tickets during the tournament, reached six of the eight stadiums, with road transportation needed for the other two. But the sheer scale of the USA has brought up concern about the transport to various stadiums for the 2026 tournament, with some venues difficult to reach via public Sport found this to be the case during the tournament, especially at the 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where the Club World Cup final was held and where next year's final is scheduled to take nearest train stop was Meadowlands Sports Complex station, requiring supporters to then walk 20 to 30 minutes in searing heat before reaching their relevant entry semi-final between Real Madrid and PSG was also delayed at the same venue due to both teams being stuck in gridlocked opening match of the Club World Cup took place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, which is set to host seven matches next year, including the third-fourth place the venue sits off a busy highway with no trains or metro system anywhere near the ground. Arriving three hours before kick-off allowed Uber drivers to drop off passengers close to the stadium before roads were closed off.A post-match curfew meant no access for Uber or cab drivers within a certain distance and supporters had to walk for 20 minutes to a pick-up City played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, which is set to host six matches at the 2026 tournament and is serviced by a metro system to the incredible sports complex featuring the football/NFL stadium, as well as the baseball and NHL also played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, which is regarded as one of the best sporting stadiums in the world, featuring a retractable roof and giant LED matches will be played inside the air-conditioned stadium next year, which has good transport links including a metro system close by and an Uber pick-up a 15-minute walk away.A potential solution for some locations, which has been done at other tournaments, is free transport to fans with match tickets but special buses or trains will have to be arranged to make this added: "The stadiums have been great and the logistics side, if it were done again, would be easier. They will have learned so much. I think it bodes well for next summer." 'It's more a golf green' - Will the pitches be a problem? One source at a host stadium for the Club World Cup said the preparation time for the event had left limited opportunity to convert mostly American Football (NFL) artificial surfaces to grass pitches. The way the ball bounces and rolls is different from at stadiums in Europe and has led to complaints from England internationals Jude Bellingham and Reece James among others. Dortmund manager Kovac highlighted the inconsistency between the various stadiums after losing to Real Madrid on the MetLife stadium pitch in New Jersey. He said: "This pitch and the pitches we've played on in Cincinnati and also in Atlanta, the grass quality is different in the stadiums."It's more a golf green. You can putt here. It's very short. This is not the grass we are used to playing on in the Bundesliga and also the other stadiums."The watering wasn't good enough, I'd say, because you don't have the licence for that. For high-speed football, you need good conditions and you need also a good pitch, the right pitch. When it's too dry, it's unbelievable, it's sticky."A Fifa source explained there is more bed-in time for the 2026 World Cup while local sources highlight how the US is such a big country with different climates that grass that works in one city may not work in another. How stringent will security be? There were regular checks for media and scanning of passes to make sure they were holding the correct credentials for accessing different parts of Donald Trump in attendance, security was predictably at its very tightest for the final between Chelsea and the game was played a year to the day since the assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania, the heightened security at MetLife Stadium came as no United States Secret Service were armed and on location, with several snipers positioned on the roof of the until that point, the heaviest security presence seen by BBC Sport was at the opening game in Miami, where police cars with flashing lights lined the main boulevards leading up to the officers with 'counter terrorism' logos patrolled the exterior of the venue and numerous security checks and bag searches were made before entry was needed extra time to make their way inside as they were forced to have further checks at a second perimeter dogs were in place near the entrance to the stadium in Philadelphia, while at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, armed officials dressed all in black with 'bomb squad' logos walked up and down the length of the press reports, external said US immigration and border protection personnel provided security at matches during the tournament and it remains to be seen whether the same will take place next year.

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