FIFA is pressing ahead with preparations for the new Club World Cup to be held in the United States next summer, and according to a new report from The Athletic's Adam Crafton, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has promised global broadcasters that details of the tournament's venues will be announced by the end of September. The news certainly adds a sense of urgency to the preparations for the tournament, especially for teams who have a limited amount of time to complete negotiations with stadiums and cities across the United States.
Infantino has been in frequent communication with broadcasters recently, aiming to boost their interest and confidence in the new Club World Cup. Convincing broadcasters of the value of the tournament is crucial as FIFA seeks to generate huge television revenues to support its operations. However, broadcasters are still cautious, mainly due to differences in the valuation of broadcasting costs, scheduling conflicts with other major sporting events, and uncertainty about the new format and teams.
Of particular concern to broadcasters is the fact that the Club World Cup's schedule overlaps with important events such as the Women's Europa League and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, potentially affecting viewers' viewing choices. Additionally, the fact that some of the biggest clubs known to soccer fans, such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan, have not qualified, as well as Riyadh Victory, where Crowe plays, and Miami International, where Lionel Messi is a member, have yet to be confirmed, have further added to the broadcasters' concerns.
The success of the new Club World Cup, a 32-team soccer event, will largely depend on the level of organization and execution of the tournament. Although key elements such as venues, training bases, sponsors and broadcasters have yet to be fully finalized, FIFA has made it clear that it will be announcing the venues within a few weeks and plans to make further announcements before the draw takes place in December.
Notably, Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser, as president of the European Club Association, also spoke with Infantino, demonstrating the anticipation and interest of Europe's big clubs in the new Club World Cup. These clubs are generally looking for returns comparable to the Champions League from this reformed tournament, which will demand a higher commercial value for the tournament.
In this series of challenges and opportunities, FIFA needs to solve the problems that plague the organization of the tournament as soon as possible to ensure that the new Club World Cup can be held smoothly and successfully. The timely announcement of the venue will undoubtedly bring broadcasters and fans around the world a real sense of anticipation and comfort.
