FIFA is secretly preparing a soccer extravaganza for next summer - the new Club World Cup in the United States. According to The Athletic's Adam Crafton, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has assured broadcasters around the world that details of the venue will be unveiled at the end of September. The news came as a bombshell, putting unprecedented pressure on the preparatory teams, especially those dealing with stadiums and cities in the United States of America.
Infantino has been interacting frequently with broadcasters lately with the intention of igniting their enthusiasm for the new Club World Cup. With FIFA in dire need of huge broadcasting fees to sustain the tournament, convincing broadcasters of the tournament's value is key. However, broadcasters remain wary of high broadcasting fees, scheduling conflicts and the uncertainty of the new format.
Adding to broadcasters' worries is the fact that the Club World Cup schedule collides with major tournaments such as the Women's Europa League and Wimbledon, threatening to affect viewer choice. The absence of well-known clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan, as well as Cairo's Riyadh triumph and Lionel Messi's Miami International entry hanging in the balance, have heightened broadcasters' misgivings.
The success or failure of the new Club World Cup, a 32-team soccer event, will depend on organization and execution. 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 disclose more information before the draw in December.
It is worth noting that Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser, as president of the European Club Association, has also spoken to Infantino, expressing the expectations of the European giants for the Club World Cup. These clubs expect to earn comparable revenues to the Champions League from the reformed tournament, which will boost the commercial value of the event.
In this period of challenges and opportunities, FIFA must quickly resolve the issues that have plagued the tournament to ensure the smooth running of the new Club World Cup. The timely announcement of the venue will undoubtedly bring anticipation and comfort to broadcasters and fans around the world.
