Pachuca's Club World Cup Debut in Cincinnati Sees Low Attendance, Raising Questions on Fan Support

Cincinnati, Ohio – FC Pachuca's debut at the Club World Cup in Cincinnati saw a surprisingly low turnout, raising questions about the local interest in Mexican football. Reports from the stadium indicated an attendance of approximately 5,200 spectators, a figure significantly lower than anticipated for a major international club tournament. A reporter on the ground noted, "This was the second match with the lowest attendance in the entire competition. Even people who live or work just blocks from the stadium weren't aware the Club World Cup was being played here." He added that while football interest seemed low, the streets of Cincinnati were bustling with fans wearing jerseys of local American sports teams like the Bengals (NFL) and the Reds (MLB). In a subsequent studio discussion, commentators delved into potential reasons for the sparse crowd. One analyst recalled a past match between Mexico and the United States at the same venue, stating, "When I was in that stadium, when Mexico played against the United States, 70% of the public were Americans. There aren't many Mexican football fans here." This suggests that while Cincinnati may host major sporting events, the local demographic's primary sports allegiances lie elsewhere, impacting attendance for events like the Club World Cup featuring non-local teams.