FIFA is gearing up for next summer's new Club World Cup in the U.S. The latest revelation from The Athletic's Adam Crafton is that FIFA president Gianni Infantino has promised global broadcasters that information on the tournament's venues will be revealed by the end of September. The decision has injected an air of urgency into the tournament's preparations, especially for teams who have to strike deals with stadiums and cities across the U.S. on short notice.
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 looks to bolster the tournament with huge television revenues. But broadcasters are currently wary, 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 teams.
Broadcasters are particularly concerned that the Club World Cup schedule overlaps with important events such as the Women's Europa League and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, potentially affecting viewers' viewing choices. In addition, the failure of high-profile clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan to qualify, as well as the continued uncertainty surrounding the participation of Riyadh Victory, where Cairo is playing, and Miami International, where Lionel Messi is playing, have exacerbated broadcasters' concerns.
The success of the new Club World Cup, a 32-team soccer extravaganza, depends on the organization and execution of the tournament. Although key elements such as venues, training bases, sponsors and broadcasters have yet to be finalized, 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 spoke with Infantino to express the expectations and concerns of Europe's big clubs about the new Club World Cup. These clubs are generally looking for returns comparable to the Champions League from the reformed tournament, which will further increase the commercial value of the tournament.
Amidst a series of challenges and opportunities facing FIFA, they need to quickly resolve the various issues that have plagued the organization of the tournament to ensure the smooth running and success of the new Club World Cup. The timely announcement of the venue will undoubtedly bring a real sense of anticipation and comfort to broadcasters and fans around the world.
