FIFA is accelerating preparations for the Club World Cup to be held in the United States in the summer of 2025. According to The Athletic's Adam Crafton, President Gianni Infantino has made a commitment to global broadcasters that venue details will be revealed by the end of September. The move has injected a sense of urgency into the tournament's preparations, with time pressures especially high for teams negotiating with U.S. venues and cities.
Infantino has been in active communication with broadcasters recently, trying to boost their confidence and interest in the new Club World Cup. Convincing broadcasters of the value of the tournament is crucial, given the huge amount of broadcast revenue FIFA needs to support the tournament. However, broadcasters remain cautious for now, mainly due to differences in the valuation of broadcasting costs, scheduling conflicts with other major sporting events, and uncertainty about the new format and teams.
Broadcasters are particularly concerned that the Club World Cup's schedule overlaps with important events such as the Women's Euro and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, which could affect viewership. This is compounded by the fact that well-known giants such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan have not qualified, as well as Cairo's Riyadh Victory and Lionel Messi's Miami International, whose participation is also uncertain.
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 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 release more information before the draw in December.
It is worth noting that Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser, as president of the European Club Association, also communicated with Infantino, expressing his expectations and concerns about the new Club World Cup. These clubs are generally looking for a return from the reformed tournament comparable to that of the Champions League, which places a higher demand on the commercial value of the tournament.
With both challenges and opportunities, FIFA will need to address the organizational challenges quickly to ensure the smooth and successful running of the new Club World Cup. The timely announcement of the venue will bring anticipation and comfort to broadcasters and fans around the world.
