FIFA is pushing hard for a new Club World Cup that kicks off in the United States next summer. According to The Athletic's Adam Crafton, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has assured broadcasters around the world that specific information about the tournament's venue will be revealed by the end of September. The news comes as a warm breath of fresh air, injecting an air of urgency into the preparations for the tournament, especially for teams that need to start negotiations with venues and cities across the U.S. in a short period of time.
Infantino's recent interactions with broadcasters are aimed at igniting their enthusiasm and confidence in the new Club World Cup. Given FIFA's desperate need for high TV revenues to support the tournament, convincing broadcasters of the tournament's value is crucial. However, broadcasters remain wary, key to this is the disagreement over the valuation of broadcasting costs, the timing of the tournament in relation to other major sporting events, and the uncertainty over the new format and teams.
Broadcasters are most concerned that the Club World Cup schedule, which coincides with heavyweight tournaments such as the Women's Europa League and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, could interfere with viewers' viewing choices. The broadcasters' concerns are further exacerbated by the fact that some of the biggest clubs in soccer fans' minds, such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan, have not yet qualified, while Riyadh Victory, where Crowe has joined the team, is also out of the running, and Lionel Messi's Miami International has yet to qualify.
The success or failure of the new Club World Cup, a soccer extravaganza bringing together the top 32 teams, will depend largely on the finer points of organization and execution. Although key elements 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' time, with more details to follow before the December draw.
It is worth mentioning that Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser, as president of the European Club Association, also had an in-depth exchange with Infantino, expressing the expectations and concerns of Europe's big clubs about the new Club World Cup. These clubs generally hope to reap rewards from the reformed tournament that match those of the Champions League, which will further enhance the commercial value of the tournament.
In this wave of challenges and opportunities, FIFA must quickly resolve 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 tangible sense of anticipation and peace of mind to broadcasters and fans around the world.
