FIFA is in full swing with intense preparations for next summer's new Club World Cup in the United States. According to The Athletic's Adam Crafton, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has assured broadcasters around the world that details of the tournament venue will be unveiled by the end of September. This has certainly injected an urgent pace into the preparations for the tournament, especially for those teams that need to reach agreements with stadiums and cities across the US in a short period of time.
Infantino has been actively engaging with broadcasters recently in an effort to boost their interest and confidence in the new Club World Cup. Convincing broadcasters of the value of the tournament is crucial, given that FIFA expects to generate significant revenues from television broadcasts. However, broadcasters remain cautious, with major concerns including disagreements over the valuation of broadcasting costs, scheduling conflicts with other major sporting events, and uncertainty over the new format and composition of the teams.
Broadcasters are particularly concerned 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. In addition, the failure of high-profile clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan to qualify, as well as the absence of Riyadh Victory, where Crowe joined the team, and the as-yet-unspecified qualification of Miami International, where Lionel Messi is based, have heightened broadcasters' misgivings.
The success or failure of the new Club World Cup, a 32-team soccer extravaganza, will depend on the organization and execution of the tournament. While the dust has yet to settle on key elements such as venues, training bases, sponsors and broadcasters, FIFA has promised to announce the venues within a few weeks and plans to release more details before the December draw.
It is worth noting that Nasser, President of the European Club Association and President of Paris Saint-Germain, also spoke with FIFA President Infantino, expressing his expectations and concerns about the new Club World Cup. These clubs generally expect to earn comparable revenues to the Champions League from the reformed tournament, which places a higher demand on the commercial value of the tournament.
At a time when FIFA is facing a series of challenges and opportunities, it is urgent to resolve the various issues that have plagued the organization of the tournament in order to ensure the smooth running and success of the new Club World Cup. The timely announcement of the venue will undoubtedly bring broadcasters and fans around the globe a well-deserved sense of anticipation and relief.
