FIFA is nervously laying out the new Club World Cup in the United States for the summer of 2025, and according to The Athletic's Adam Crafton, President Gianni Infantino has assured broadcasters around the globe that details of the venues will be unveiled by the end of September. The decision has injected an accelerant into the intense preparations for the tournament, particularly for those teams negotiating with American stadiums and cities.
Infantino has been communicating more frequently with broadcasters in an effort to boost their interest and confidence in the tournament. Given FIFA's reliance on huge television revenues to support the tournament, winning the trust of broadcasters has become crucial. But broadcasters remain wary of this, due to disagreements over broadcast fee assessments, scheduling conflicts with other major sporting events, and unknowns about the new format and teams.
Broadcasters are particularly concerned that the Club World Cup schedule, which coincides with major tournaments such as the Women's Europa League and Wimbledon, could distract viewers. Meanwhile, the absence of high-profile clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan, as well as the lack of clarity on the eligibility of Riyadh Victory, where Crowe plays, and Lionel Messi's Miami International, have exacerbated the broadcasters' misgivings.
The success or failure of the new Club World Cup, a 32-team soccer extravaganza, will depend on the finer points of organization and execution. While key elements such as venues, training bases, sponsors and broadcasters are yet to be finalized, FIFA has promised to announce the venues in a few weeks and plans to disclose more information before the draw in December.
It is worth noting that Nasser, president of the European Club Association and president of Paris Saint-Germain, also joined the conversation with Infantino to express the expectations of Europe's big clubs for the new Club World Cup. These clubs are hoping to match the revenues from this reformed tournament with the Champions League, which will boost the commercial value of the tournament.
Against a backdrop of challenges and opportunities, FIFA urgently needs to address the difficult issues in 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 sense of eager anticipation and reassurance to broadcasters and fans worldwide.
