FIFA is pressing ahead with the layout of the new Club World Cup in the United States, which is due to debut next summer. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has promised global broadcasters that specific information about the tournament's venues will be revealed by the end of September, according to reporter Adam Crafton of The Athletic. The news comes as a timely shower, injecting a new sense of urgency into preparations for the tournament, especially for those teams negotiating with stadiums and cities across the U.S., for whom time is especially precious.
Infantino's recent frequent interactions with broadcasters are aimed at boosting their enthusiasm and confidence in the new Club World Cup. In the face of FIFA's desire for huge television revenues, it is crucial to convince broadcasters of the value of the tournament. Nevertheless, broadcasters remain wary, with the main concerns being differences in broadcasting costs, scheduling conflicts with other sporting events, and uncertainty over the new format and teams.
To make matters even trickier, the Club World Cup's schedule overlaps with major tournaments such as the Women's Europa League and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, which may affect viewers' viewing choices. The failure of some of the biggest clubs known to soccer fans such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan to qualify, as well as the absence of Cairo's Riyadh triumph and Messi's undecided Miami International entry, have heightened broadcasters' concerns.
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. Although key elements such as venues, training bases, sponsors and broadcasters have yet to be finalized, FIFA has promised to announce the tournament venues within a few weeks and plans to provide more information before the December draw.
It is worth noting that Nasser, the president of the European Club Association and president of Paris Saint-Germain, also spoke with Infantino and expressed his expectations for the new Club World Cup. These clubs generally expect to earn comparable revenues to the Champions League from the reformed tournament, which demands a higher commercial value from the event.
In this period of both challenge and opportunity, FIFA is in dire need of solving the difficulties 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 anticipation and comfort to broadcasters and fans worldwide.
