FIFA is in full swing with intense preparations for the upcoming new Club World Cup in the United States. According to The Athletic's Adam Crafton, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has made a promise to global broadcasters that details of the venue will be revealed at the end of September. The decision has undoubtedly put unprecedented pressure on the preparatory teams, especially those on a tight timetable to negotiate with stadiums and cities across the United States.
Infantino has been actively engaging with broadcasters in an effort to boost their interest and confidence in the new Club World Cup. Given that FIFA needs huge television revenues to support the tournament, convincing broadcasters of the tournament's value is crucial. However, broadcasters remain wary, with the main concerns being differences in broadcasting fee assessments, scheduling conflicts with other major sporting events, and uncertainty about the new format and teams.
Broadcasters are particularly concerned that the Club World Cup schedule overlaps with important tournaments such as the Women's Europa League and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, which could affect viewer choice. Meanwhile, broadcasters' concerns have been compounded by the failure of some high-profile powerhouse clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan to qualify, as well as the uncertainty surrounding the participation of Riyadh Victory, where Cairo is playing, and Miami International, where Messi is playing.
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 fully finalized, FIFA has promised to announce the venues in a few weeks and plans to disclose more information before the December draw.
Notably, Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser, as president of the European Club Association, has also communicated with FIFA president Infantino, expressing his expectations and concerns about the new Club World Cup. These clubs generally expect comparable returns to the Champions League from the reformed tournament, which places a higher demand on the commercial value of the tournament.
In the face of this series of challenges and opportunities, FIFA needs to quickly resolve the issues that have plagued the organization of the tournament to ensure that the new Club World Cup is held smoothly and successfully. The timely announcement of the venue will bring anticipation and comfort to broadcasters and fans around the world.
