FIFA is in full swing with intense preparations for the new Club World Cup, which kicks off in the United States next summer. According to reporter Adam Crafton of The Athletic, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has made a promise to global broadcasters that specific information about the tournament venue will be unveiled at the end of September. The decision has undoubtedly brought an unprecedented sense of urgency to the preparations for the tournament, especially for those teams that will need to start negotiations with stadiums and cities across the U.S. in a short period of time.
Infantino has been in frequent contact 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 will be crucial as FIFA seeks high television revenues to support its operations. However, broadcasters remain cautious, with the main concerns being differences in the valuation of broadcasting costs, scheduling conflicts with other major sporting events, and uncertainty over the new format and composition of the teams.
The broadcasters' concerns are not unfounded. 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' viewing choices. In addition, the fact that some of the biggest clubs known to soccer fans, such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan, did not qualify, as well as Riyadh's Riyadh Victory, where Cairo is a member, and Lionel Messi's Miami International, where his participation is unknown, have added to the broadcasters' concerns.
The success or failure of the new Club World Cup, a 32-team soccer event, 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 in a few weeks and plans to disclose further information before the December draw.
It is worth noting that Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser, as president of the European Club Association, also expressed to Infantino the expectations and concerns of Europe's big clubs about the new Club World Cup. These clubs are generally looking for a return comparable to the Champions League from this reformed tournament, which places a higher demand on the commercial value of the tournament.
In the face of this series of challenges and opportunities, FIFA urgently needs to solve the problems that have plagued the organization of the tournament in order to ensure that the new Club World Cup can be carried out 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.
