Do fans care which deep-pocketed side triumph?

Chelsea, champions of the world? Just 90 minutes away, though Paris Saint-Germain, the dominant Champions League winners, who dispatched Real Madrid in New Jersey on July 9 in such style, will have their say in that destiny being achieved.

- John Brewin

Fifa's expanded Club World Cup, Gianni Infantino's dream, has had mixed reviews, depending on the location and disposition of the reviewer.

In UK, the response has been lukewarm at best. Manchester City's exit against Al-Hilal raised eyebrows and was received as a sign of continuing difficulties for Pep Guardiola, whereas in the Arabian Peninsula states, this was a seismic result.

Saudi Arabian football, though with a team ram-packed with European talent, had taken its first victory over the English Premier League's previously serial champions, and a club owned by Abu Dhabi.

The successes of the Brazilian teams in all navigating their way through the group stage kept that nation rapt, with Fluminense making it to the semi-finals.