FIFA is pushing hard for the Club World Cup to be held in the United States in the summer of 2025, with The Athletic's Adam Crafton reporting that President Gianni Infantino has assured broadcasters around the globe that details of the venues will be unveiled by the end of September. This is certainly a wake-up call for preparations for the tournament, especially for those teams that must start negotiations across stadiums and cities in the U.S. Time is running out.
Infantino has been actively communicating with broadcasters recently in an effort to boost their confidence in the new Club World Cup. Given that FIFA is in dire need of significant television revenues to support the tournament, convincing broadcasters of the tournament's value is crucial. But broadcasters remain wary for now, due to disagreements over broadcasting costs, clashes with other major sporting events, and uncertainty over the new format and teams.
The broadcasters are particularly 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 distract viewers. The broadcasters' concerns are compounded by the fact that high-profile clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan have not qualified for the tournament, and the participation of Riyadh Victory, where Cairo plays, and Miami International, where Lionel Messi plays, is still uncertain.
The success or failure of the new Club World Cup, a soccer extravaganza featuring the top 32 teams, depends on organization and execution. While key elements such as the venue, training bases, sponsors and broadcasters have yet to be finalized, FIFA has promised to release information on the venues within a few weeks and plans to release more news before the draw in December.
It is worth mentioning that Nasser, President of the European Club Association and President of Paris Saint-Germain, also spoke to FIFA President Infantino and expressed the expectations of Europe's big clubs for the Club World Cup. These clubs are eager to gain revenues from the reformed tournament comparable to the UEFA Champions League, which puts a higher demand on the commercial value of the tournament.
At a time of both challenges and opportunities, FIFA must quickly resolve the problems in the organization of the tournament to ensure a smooth and successful Club World Cup. The timely release of venue information will undoubtedly bring anticipation and comfort to broadcasters and fans around the world.
