FIFA is pressing ahead with preparations for the new Club World Cup to be staged in the United States next summer. According to reporter Adam Crafton of The Athletic, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has assured broadcasters around the world that specific information about the venue will be unveiled at the end of September. The decision has certainly brought a sense of urgency to the preparations for the tournament, especially for the teams who have to start negotiations with stadiums and cities across the United States in a short period of time.
Infantino has been in constant communication with broadcasters recently, trying to boost their interest and confidence in the new Club World Cup. Success in convincing broadcasters of the value of the tournament is crucial, given that FIFA is in dire need of huge television revenues to support its operations. Nonetheless, broadcasters remain cautious, mainly due to differences in broadcasting cost estimates, scheduling conflicts with other major sporting events, and uncertainty over the new format and the composition of the teams.
Of particular concern to broadcasters is the fact that the Club World Cup's schedule overlaps with high-profile tournaments such as the Women's Europa League and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, which could affect viewers' choice of matches. Additionally, some of soccer fans' favorite giants such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan have not qualified for the tournament, as well as Cairo's Riyadh Victory, and Messi's Miami International, whose participation in the tournament is yet to be clarified, have added to broadcasters' concerns.
The success or failure of the new Club World Cup, a soccer extravaganza involving the top 32 teams, will largely 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 made it clear that it will be announcing the venues within a few weeks and plans to make further announcements before the December draw.
Notably, Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser, as president of the European Club Association, also communicated with FIFA president Infantino, expressing the expectations and concerns of Europe's big clubs about the new Club World Cup. These clubs generally expect to receive comparable returns to the Champions League from the reformed tournament, which will further increase the commercial value of the tournament.
In the face of this series of challenges and opportunities, FIFA urgently needs to solve the various problems plaguing the organization of the tournament to ensure that the new Club World Cup can be held smoothly and successfully. The timely announcement of the venue will undoubtedly bring a real sense of anticipation and comfort to broadcasters and fans around the world.
