Club World Cup kicks off with high stakes and global excitement

The USA's year of hosting major soccer events, including the Club World Cup and Gold Cup, has started with disappointing attendance and lackluster enthusiasm, despite high-profile matches and star players like Lionel Messi. The tournaments faced issues such as low turnout, high ticket prices, and a general sense of flatness, reflecting a challenging environment for soccer's growth in the US, even as the country aims to elevate its status as a soccer destination.