FIFA is working non-stop to prepare for a grand soccer extravaganza - the Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States next summer. President Gianni Infantino has assured global broadcasters that venue details will be revealed at the end of September, a decision that has added to the intensity of the preparations, reports Adam Crafton of The Athletic. Particularly those teams that have to negotiate quickly with stadiums and cities in the United States of America are under even more time pressure.
Infantino has been interacting a lot with broadcasters recently, seeking to boost their interest and confidence in the new Club World Cup. Convincing broadcasters of the value of the tournament is crucial, given FIFA's desperate need for significant television revenues to support the tournament. But broadcasters are wary of this, mainly because of disagreements over the valuation of broadcasting costs, the tournament's scheduling conflicts with other major sporting events, and uncertainty over the new format and teams.
The broadcasters' biggest concern is that the Club World Cup schedule overlaps with major tournaments such as the Women's Europa League and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, which could affect viewer ratings. The doubts of broadcasters are exacerbated by the absence of well-known clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan, as well as the uncertainty over the eligibility of Riyadh Victory, where Crowe plays, and Miami International, where Lionel Messi is playing.
The success of the new Club World Cup, a 32-team soccer extravaganza, will depend on organization and execution. Although key elements such as venues, training bases, sponsors and broadcasters have yet to be finalized, FIFA has promised to release information on the venues within a few weeks and plans to announce more details before the draw in December.
Significantly, Nasser, the president of the European Club Association and president of Paris Saint-Germain, also spoke to FIFA president Infantino and expressed his expectations for the new Club World Cup. These clubs expect comparable returns to the Champions League from this reformed tournament, which demands a higher level of commercial value from the tournament.
In the face of these challenges and opportunities, FIFA must quickly resolve the problems in the organization of the tournament to ensure a smooth and successful Club World Cup. The timely release of venue information will undoubtedly bring anticipation and comfort to broadcasters and fans around the world.
