But the big question remains: How much does the soccer world want this new month-long FIFA Club World Cup? And, crucially for FIFA, how much are executives at pay-TV and streaming platforms willing to pay for it?
The tournament is Infantino’s big move to grab a slice of the club-broadcast-rights market, currently dominated by UEFA’s Champions League and its two men’s competitions, as well as the powerful Premier League. UEFA’s latest budget projects annual revenue of 5.2 billion euros. FIFA, whose only revenue business is the men’s World Cup, projects 10.2 billion euros from 2023 to 2026, or 3.4 billion euros per year.
The proposals for the new competitions have been confusing to say the least. The proposals were first mooted at the FIFA Council meeting in 2018 and predate UEFA’s turmoil over Champions League reform and the separation of European Super Leagues in 2021. Six years ago, Infantino was said to have £25bn backing from Saudi Arabia-backed Japanese bank Softbank for the first four competitions. Investment from Saudi Arabia may yet be secured, but for a project that has been so long in the making, implementation clearly feels last-minute.
Many of the world’s top clubs, including Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, have already confirmed to take part in the tournament, which will last four weeks culminating in the final on July 13 next year. Arsenal and Liverpool, stronger rivals to City’s recent dominance in the Premier League, will not take part because the qualification criteria are unclear. Chelsea, under new American owners, are thought to be excited to participate – unsurprising given they are not currently in the Champions League. Other teams are more cautious.
After Ancelotti made public comments questioning whether the numbers were right for Real, the club felt obliged to issue a statement saying there was “no question of not participating.” But what exactly are Real and other clubs playing for? The FIFA Club World Championship (its official name) means different things to different people. But no one could seriously argue that the World Championship is worth more to European clubs than the Champions League. And is the World Championship even perceived as a major honor?
Players need rest, not more games or more trophies
It’s a question broadcasters will be asking as they plan their budgets. And when next season gets underway, the Premier League’s biggest stars will be asking themselves similar questions as they look at their schedules. Kyle Walker, for example, has played 103 games for club and country in the past 24 months, dating back to the Community Shield in July 2022, and his numbers are growing. In that time, he has won six trophies, including the old-format FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia and the UEFA Super Cup. He’ll play at least two more games this season, and probably five.
What Walker needs isn’t more games or new trophies, what he and the others need is rest. According to FIFA, the new tournament will add 85 matches over a four-year cycle, 21 games per year, across 40 teams from around the world. That doesn’t sound like much of a burden, but many of those players are already well-worn European stars. And all participants will miss out on the crucial summer break that comes every other year between international tournaments.
As for the Africa Cup of Nations, the tournament that was due to be held in Morocco next year has been postponed by six months to December and January to avoid clashing with the new FIFA Club World Cup.
The threat of legal action from domestic leagues, including the Premier League, against the FIFA Club World Cup suggests this could become even more serious. The Premier League’s stance will likely do little for City, who are locked in a never-ending battle over more than 100 charges. But it is another chapter in a growing challenge for FIFA, which faces opposition from players’ unions, including the Professional Footballers’ Association, over player welfare.
FIFA has declined to comment on the schedule, broadcasting deals (including reported negotiations with Apple TV) or host cities.
As always in football, it will be a big payday that calms the confused public. The pressure is on for Infantino to deliver. No wonder he is eager to fast track the selection of the host for the 2034 World Cup final, which Saudi Arabia is firmly favored to host. Meanwhile, the tournament is fast approaching, with the hosting venue yet to be confirmed in the United States and the prize money yet to be decided. The broadcaster that will broadcast the live broadcast has yet to be announced.