The expanded Club World Cup has kicked off with healthy crowds, "Messi mania" and a festival atmosphere in Miami, giving an early vindication to world football body FIFA after fears of empty stands and global disinterest.

The inaugural expanded summer Club World Cup is officially now underway as 32 teams face off across four weeks in the USA.Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami kicked off the tournament against Al Ahly of Egypt in an entertaining goalless draw on Saturday night,

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The FIFA Club World Cup is underway as 32 teams from across the globe battle it out in the U.S. in the new-look tournament.

The expanded Club World Cup has kicked off with healthy crowds, "Messi mania" and a festival atmosphere in Miami, giving an early vindication to world football body FIFA after fears of empty stands and global disinterest.