FIFA is pressing ahead with preparations for next summer's new Club World Cup in the U.S. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has promised global broadcasters that details of the tournament venue will be unveiled at the end of September, according to The Athletic's Adam Crafton. The decision has certainly injected a sense of urgency into the preparations for the tournament, especially for those teams negotiating with U.S. stadiums and cities.
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 support the tournament through television revenues, convincing broadcasters of the tournament's value is crucial. However, broadcasters remain cautious, mainly due to differences in the valuation of 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 fixtures overlap with important tournaments such as the Women's Europa League and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, which could affect viewer ratings. Meanwhile, the absence of high-profile clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan, as well as the uncertainty surrounding the participation of Cairo's Riyadh Victory and Messi's Miami International, have exacerbated broadcasters' concerns.
The success of the new Club World Cup, a 32-team soccer event, depends on the level of organization and execution. Although key elements 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 release more information before the draw in December.
Notably, Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser, as president of the European Club Association, also spoke with Infantino to express his expectations and concerns about the new Club World Cup. These clubs are generally hoping to reap comparable returns to the Champions League from the reformed tournament, which would boost the commercial value of the event.
In the face of challenges and opportunities, FIFA needs to quickly address the organization of the tournament to ensure the smooth running and success of the new Club World Cup. The timely release of venue information will bring anticipation and comfort to broadcasters and fans around the world.
