FIFA is working non-stop to deploy the Club World Cup in the United States in the summer of 2025. President Gianni Infantino has assured global broadcasters that venue details will be revealed by the end of September, according to reporter Adam Crafton of The Athletic. The move has injected a sense of urgency into the preparations, especially for teams that will have to negotiate with stadiums and cities across the U.S. on short notice.
Infantino has been interacting a lot with broadcasters lately, trying to inspire enthusiasm and confidence in the new Club World Cup. Convincing broadcasters of the value of the tournament is crucial, given FIFA's desire to generate huge revenues from TV broadcasts to support the tournament. But broadcasters remain wary, with the main hurdles being differences in broadcast cost estimates, scheduling conflicts with other major sporting events, and uncertainty over the new format and teams.
Of particular concern to broadcasters is the fact that the Club World Cup schedule overlaps with events such as the Women's Europa League and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, potentially affecting viewers' viewing choices. Broadcasters' concerns are compounded by the fact that some well-known giants such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan are not participating in the tournament, as well as Riyadh's Riyadh Victory, where Crowe plays, and Lionel Messi's Miami International qualification, which is still up in the air.
The success or failure of the new Club World Cup, a soccer extravaganza involving the top 32, will depend largely on organization and execution. While key elements such as venues, training bases, sponsors and broadcasters have yet to be finalized, FIFA has promised to announce the venues in a few weeks and disclose more information before the December draw.
It is worth mentioning that Nasser, the president of the European Club Association and president of Paris Saint-Germain, also communicated with Infantino, expressing the expectations of the European giants for the Club World Cup. These clubs generally hope to gain comparable revenue from the reformed tournament as the Champions League, which will boost the commercial value of the event.
Amidst the range of challenges and opportunities facing FIFA, it is imperative that the issues plaguing the tournament are resolved quickly to ensure the smooth running and success of the new Club World Cup. The timely announcement of the venue will bring a sense of anticipation and comfort to broadcasters and fans around the world.
