FIFA is busy preparing for a soccer extravaganza that will be staged in the American summer - the new Club World Cup. According to The Athletic's Adam Crafton, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has made a promise to global television broadcasters that specific information about the venue will be revealed by the end of September. The news came as a strong wind that quickly blew through every corner of the preparations, creating a new challenge for teams that must open negotiations with stadiums and cities across the U.S. within a short deadline.
Infantino is increasingly communicating with broadcasters with the aim of galvanizing their enthusiasm and confidence in the new Club World Cup. Convincing broadcasters of the tournament's potential is crucial, given FIFA's desperate need to support the tournament with television revenues. Nonetheless, broadcasters are wary of this commitment for a number of reasons: disagreements over the valuation of broadcasting costs, scheduling conflicts with other major sporting events, and uncertainty over the new format and teams.
Adding to the headaches for broadcasters is the fact that the Club World Cup's schedule collides with heavyweight tournaments such as the Women's Europa League and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, which could distract viewers. Further, the failure of some of the giants clubs on the minds of soccer fans, such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan, to qualify, as well as the unsettled qualifications of Riyadh Victory, where Crowe plays, and Miami International, where Lionel Messi belongs, have added to the broadcasters' jitters.
The success of the new Club World Cup, a soccer event in which the top 32 will compete for the title, will largely depend on the quality of its organization and execution. Although key elements such as the venue, training bases, sponsors and broadcasters have yet to be finalized, FIFA has indicated that it will announce the venue in a few weeks and plans to make further announcements before the December draw.
It is worth noting that Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser, the head of the European Club Association, also expressed to Infantino the expectations of Europe's big clubs for the new Club World Cup. These clubs generally expect returns from the reformed tournament to match those of the Champions League, which has raised expectations of the tournament's commercial value.
At a time of challenges and opportunities, FIFA must quickly resolve the difficulties plaguing the tournament to ensure the smooth running and success of the new Club World Cup. The timely announcement of the venue has undoubtedly given broadcasters and fans around the world a shot in the arm, bringing real expectation and comfort.
