FIFA is pushing ahead with preparations for next summer's new Club World Cup in the U.S. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has assured global broadcasters that details of the tournament's venues will be unveiled by the end of September, according to reporter Adam Crafton of The Athletic. The decision has certainly brought a sense of urgency to the preparatory teams, especially those who must reach agreements with venues and cities across the United States in a short period of time.
Infantino has been actively communicating with broadcasters recently in an attempt to boost their interest and confidence in the new Club World Cup. Convincing broadcasters of the value of the tournament is crucial, given FIFA's urgent need to support the tournament with television revenues. However, broadcasters are currently wary of the idea, mainly due to disagreements over broadcasting costs, scheduling conflicts with other major sporting events, and uncertainty over the new format and teams.
Broadcasters are particularly concerned that the Club World Cup schedule overlaps with key events such as the Women's Europa League and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, which could affect viewer ratings. In addition, the failure of high-profile clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan to qualify, as well as the uncertainty surrounding the qualifications of Cairo's Riyadh Victory and Messi's Miami International, have exacerbated broadcasters' concerns.
The success or failure of the new Club World Cup, a 32-team soccer extravaganza, depends on the organization and execution of the tournament. While key details 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 provide more information before the December draw.
It is worth noting that Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser, as president of the European Club Association, also expressed to Infantino the expectations of Europe's big clubs for the new Club World Cup. These clubs generally expect to earn comparable revenues to the Champions League from the reformed tournament, which will boost the commercial value of the event.
Against a backdrop of both challenges and opportunities, FIFA must quickly resolve the various issues that have plagued 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 anticipation and comfort to broadcasters and fans around the world.
