As summer draws closer, FIFA is gearing up for the new Club World Cup in the US next year. According to a revelation by reporter Adam Crafton of The Athletic, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has made a promise to global broadcasters that details of the tournament's venues will be revealed by the end of September. The news adds to the urgency of tournament preparations, and even more so for negotiating teams in stadiums and cities across the United States.
Infantino has been actively communicating with broadcasters recently in an effort 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 through television revenues. However, broadcasters remain cautious, mainly due to inconsistencies in the valuation of broadcasting costs, conflicts with other major sporting events, and uncertainty over the new format and teams.
Broadcasters are also concerned that the Club World Cup schedule overlaps with important events such as the Women's Europa League and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, which could affect viewership. In addition, broadcasters' concerns are compounded by the failure of prominent clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan to qualify, as well as the uncertainty surrounding the participation of Riyadh Victory, where Cairo plays, and Miami International, where Lionel Messi is playing.
The success or failure of the new Club World Cup, a 32-team soccer extravaganza, will depend on the organization and execution of the tournament. While the dust has yet to settle on key elements such as venues, training bases, sponsors and broadcasters, FIFA has made it clear that it will be announcing the venues within a few weeks and plans to make further announcements before the December draw.
It is worth noting that Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser, as president of the European Club Association, also spoke with Infantino, expressing his expectations and concerns about the new Club World Cup. These clubs are generally eager to reap the rewards of a reformed tournament comparable to the Champions League, which would further enhance the commercial value of the tournament.
Against this backdrop of both challenges and opportunities, FIFA urgently needs to address the many 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 tangible expectations and comfort to broadcasters and fans around the world.
