FIFA is busying itself with next summer's Club World Cup in the United States. According to The Athletic's Adam Crafton, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has assured global broadcasters that details of the tournament's venue will be revealed by the end of September. The decision is certainly a wake-up call for preparations for the tournament, especially for teams who must negotiate quickly between stadiums and cities across the United States.
Infantino has been actively communicating with broadcasters recently in an effort to boost their interest and confidence in the new Club World Cup. Given FIFA's desire to generate huge revenues to support the tournament through television broadcasts, convincing broadcasters of the value of the tournament is crucial. However, broadcasters are currently wary, mainly due to inconsistencies in broadcasting cost estimates, scheduling conflicts with other major sporting events, and uncertainty about the new format and teams.
Broadcasters are particularly concerned that the Club World Cup's schedule clashes with major tournaments such as the Women's Europa League and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, potentially affecting viewers' viewing choices. In addition, the failure of some prominent clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan to qualify, as well as the exit of Riyadh Victory, where Crowe plays, and the yet-to-be-known qualification of Miami International, where Lionel Messi plays, have further deepened broadcasters' misgivings.
The success of the new Club World Cup, a 32-team soccer extravaganza, will largely depend on the meticulousness of its organization and execution. Although key details such as venues, training bases, sponsors and broadcasters have yet to be finalized, FIFA has made it clear that it will announce the venues in a few weeks and plans to release more news before the December draw.
Notably, Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser, as president of the European Club Association, also communicated with Infantino, expressing his expectations and concerns about the new Club World Cup. These clubs are generally hoping to benefit from the reform of this tournament in a way comparable to the Champions League, which places a higher demand on the commercial value of the tournament.
With a number of challenges and opportunities facing FIFA, they will need to quickly resolve the difficulties that have plagued the organization of the tournament to ensure that the new Club World Cup can be held smoothly and successfully. The timely announcement of the venue will undoubtedly bring a sense of anticipation and comfort to broadcasters and fans around the world.
