FIFA is stepping up its game and making careful preparations for the new Club World Cup, which kicks off in the United States next summer. According to The Athletic's Adam Crafton, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has made a commitment to global television broadcasters that specific information about the venue will be revealed by the end of September. The decision has certainly injected a sense of urgency into the preparations for the tournament, especially for those teams that must negotiate with U.S. stadiums and cities on short notice.
Infantino has been interacting frequently 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, given that FIFA is in dire need of significant television revenues to support its operations. But broadcasters remain wary, mainly because of differences in the valuation of broadcasting costs, scheduling conflicts with other major sporting events, and uncertainty over the new format and teams.
Adding to broadcasters' concerns is the fact that the Club World Cup's schedule overlaps with prestigious tournaments such as the Women's Europa League and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, potentially interfering with viewers' choices. Meanwhile, the failure of many of soccer fans' favorite giants such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and AC Milan to qualify, the absence of Riyadh Victory, where Crowe plays, and the uncertainty over the qualification of Miami International, where Lionel Messi is playing, have added to the broadcasters' concerns.
The success or failure of the new Club World Cup, a 32-team soccer event, will depend largely on how well it is organized and executed. Although key elements such as venues, training bases, sponsors and broadcasters have yet to be finalized, FIFA has made it clear that it will be announcing the venues in a few weeks and plans to release more information before the December draw.
It is worth noting that Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser, as president of the European Club Association, also communicated with FIFA president Infantino, expressing the expectations and concerns of Europe's big clubs about the new Club World Cup. These clubs are generally eager to reap rewards from the reformed tournament comparable to the UEFA Champions League, which will further enhance the commercial value of the tournament.
In the face of these challenges and opportunities, FIFA must quickly resolve the various problems 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 hope and comfort to broadcasters and fans around the world.
