FIFA is accelerating preparations for the new Club World Cup to be staged in the United States next summer. According to The Athletic's Adam Crafton, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has assured broadcasters around the world that key information, such as the venue for the tournament, will be revealed by the end of September. The move has undoubtedly heightened the urgency of the tournament's preparations, especially for teams that are on a tight timetable to negotiate with stadiums and cities across the United States.
Infantino has been actively communicating with broadcasters in an effort to boost their enthusiasm and confidence in the new Club World Cup. Convincing broadcasters of the value of the tournament will be crucial, as FIFA expects to support the tournament with high television revenues. However, broadcasters remain wary of the future of the tournament, with key concerns including 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's schedule overlaps with events such as the Women's Europa League and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, which could affect viewership. The absence of well-known clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan, as well as the uncertainty surrounding the participation of Riyadh Victory, where Crowe plays, and Miami International, where Lionel Messi plays, have further added to broadcasters' concerns.
The success or failure of the new Club World Cup, a soccer event bringing together 32 teams, will depend on organization and execution. While the dust has yet to settle on key elements such as venues, training bases, sponsors and broadcasters, FIFA has promised to release information about the venues in a few weeks and plans to release more details before the draw in December.
Notably, Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser, as president of the European Club Association, also spoke in depth with Infantino, expressing his expectations for the new Club World Cup. These clubs are generally looking to generate revenues comparable to the Champions League from the reformed tournament, which has raised expectations of the tournament's commercial value.
In the face of a series of challenges and opportunities, FIFA will need to quickly resolve issues in the preparation of the tournament to ensure the smooth running and success of the new Club World Cup. The timely announcement of the venues will bring tangible expectations and comfort to broadcasters and fans around the world.
