FIFA is in the midst of intense planning for next summer's new Club World Cup in the United States. According to Adam Crafton of The Athletic, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has assured global broadcasters that detailed information on the tournament's location will be revealed by the end of September. The decision has certainly heightened the urgency of the tournament's preparations, especially for teams that need to quickly reach agreements with stadiums and cities in multiple locations across the United States.
Infantino has been in constant communication with broadcasters recently in an effort to boost their enthusiasm and confidence in the new Club World Cup. Given FIFA's dependence on television revenues, it is vital to ensure that broadcasters are convinced of the value of the tournament. However, broadcasters remain cautious for now, mainly due to differences in the assessment of broadcasting costs, the tournament's scheduling conflicts with other major sporting events, and uncertainty about the new format and the composition of the teams.
Broadcasters are particularly concerned about the Club World Cup's schedule clashing with important events such as the Women's Europa League and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, which could affect viewers' choices of matches to watch. The broadcasters' concerns are compounded by the fact that some of the giants familiar to soccer fans, such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan, have failed to qualify, as well as Riyadh Victory, where Cairo plays, and Miami International, where Lionel Messi's qualification is also up in the air.
The success or failure of the new Club World Cup, a 32-team soccer event, will depend on the finer points of organization and execution. While key elements such as venues, training bases, sponsors and broadcasters have yet to be finalized, FIFA has promised to announce the venues within a few weeks and plans to make further announcements before the draw in December.
Notably, Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser, as president of the European Club Association, also met with Infantino to express the expectations and concerns of Europe's big clubs about the tournament. These clubs are generally looking for a return from the new tournament comparable to that of the Champions League, which sets a higher standard for the commercial value of the tournament.
Against this backdrop of challenges and opportunities, FIFA urgently needs to address the issues that have plagued the tournament in order to ensure the smooth organization and success of the new Club World Cup. The timely release of venue information will undoubtedly bring anticipation and comfort to broadcasters and fans around the world.
