Goal avalanches or sporting imbalance? Early Club World Cup results rekindle the ‘too big, too soon’ debate

Bayern–Auckland: ten goals that set teeth on edge

In Pasadena, Bayern Munich thrashed the semi-professionals of Auckland City 10-0, the largest group-stage win ever recorded. Kingsley Coman opened the scoring before Jamal Musiala, brought on after the hour, struck a rapid hat-trick. The Bavarians registered seventeen shots on target; their opponents managed just one. The gulf recalled the early Champions League days, when European giants faced amateur sides from far-flung islands.

PSG–Atlético: a 4-0 “between giants” that also raises questions

That same day, Paris Saint-Germain brushed aside Atlético Madrid 4-0: Fabián Ruiz, Vitinha, teenager Mayulu and Lee Kang-In wrapped up the match with scarcely any Spanish resistance. The scoreline is less vertiginous than Bayern’s, yet the imbalance felt just as stark between two clubs thought to be hardened at the top level. The visual impression fuels fears of a tournament where the aristocracy pulls away even from its peers.

A 32-team format already under fire

The new 32-team layout, modelled on the national World Cup, promised diversity and suspense; so far it has delivered sporting chasms. The draw protects neither underdogs nor spectacle: the lone Oceania champion lands in a group with a European powerhouse, whereas a seeded-pot system, as in the Champions League, might have softened the blow.

Money matters: the widening gap

Off the pitch, finances deepen the divide. Of the projected two billion-dollar revenue, nearly 70 percent is set to flow to the twelve European entrants. For outsiders, mere participation barely covers travel costs; for juggernauts, it bankrolls squad depth that proves decisive when fixtures arrive every three days.

Possible fixes: from pots to caps

Several remedies are on the table: implement proper seeding to avoid another Bayern-Auckland mismatch, send lower-ranked clubs through a preliminary round, or enforce salary ceilings alongside existing financial-fair-play rules. FIFA is also studying a flat redistribution of prize money to shrink the budget gap. Whether these tweaks can balance a competition meant to be global yet already lopsided after two matchdays remains to be seen.

A spectacle, yes… but for whom?

Nobody denies the broadcast appeal of a 10-0 or 4-0; yet supporters—especially those of the “small” clubs—must still feel included. With the calendar packed and player welfare at stake, stretching the show without addressing its imbalances could suffocate the sporting intrigue it claims to foster. The ball is in FIFA’s court: refine the format or accept a two-speed tournament.

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