FIFA is pressing ahead with preparations for next summer's Club World Cup in the United States. According to The Athletic's Adam Crafton, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has made a promise to global broadcasters that details of the tournament venue will be revealed by the end of September. The promise is a wake-up call for preparations for the tournament, especially for those teams that must begin negotiations with U.S. stadiums and cities in a short period of time.
Infantino has been actively engaging with broadcasters recently in an effort to boost their interest and confidence in the new Club World Cup. Given that FIFA is in dire need of huge television revenues to support the tournament, convincing broadcasters of the tournament's value is crucial. However, broadcasters are still wary of this, mainly due to differences in broadcasting cost estimates, scheduling conflicts with other major sporting events, and uncertainty about the new format and teams.
Broadcasters are particularly concerned that the Club World Cup schedule overlaps with major tournaments such as the Women's Europa League and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, potentially affecting viewers' viewing choices. In addition, broadcasters are further concerned by the fact that prominent clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan have not qualified, as well as Riyadh Victory, where Crowe is playing, and Messi's Miami International, whose participation is still uncertain.
The success or failure of the new Club World Cup, a 32-team soccer event, will largely depend 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 made it clear that it will be announcing the venues within a few weeks and plans to disclose further information before the December draw.
Notably, Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser, as president of the European Club Association, has also communicated with Infantino, expressing the expectations and concerns of Europe's big clubs about the Club World Cup. These clubs are generally looking for returns comparable to the Champions League from the reformed tournament, which will demand a higher commercial value from the event.
At this critical juncture of challenges and opportunities, FIFA needs to resolve the issues that have plagued the organization of the tournament as soon as possible in order to ensure the smooth running and success of the Club World Cup. The timely announcement of the venue will undoubtedly bring broadcasters and fans around the world a real sense of expectation and comfort.
