Is the “huge success” a flop?: Infantino’s mega-project has plenty of problems

Will the “huge success” flop?
Infantino’s mega-project poses numerous problems

24.09.2024, 15:29

FIFA is raving, the professionals are complaining – and much is uncertain: the new Club World Cup is proving to be a great unknown nine months before it starts. At least: It is now becoming clear where the games will be played.

Gianni Infantino is once again tirelessly drumming up publicity. Despite all the question marks, the FIFA boss has been touting his billion-dollar, but still extremely nebulous, prestige project for months as “a huge success” – and has already won over quite a few supporters. The new Club World Cup, as BVB managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke recently stressed, is “guaranteed to be a huge success”.

But the enthusiasm does not disguise the fact that nine months before the start, the tournament is a great unknown with plenty of potential for conflict. Several fundamental questions remain unanswered: Where will the games be played? Where will the millions come from that were promised to the clubs – such as the alleged 100 million dollars for the winner? And can the complaints of many professionals, including the threat of strikes, be ignored?

The problems are piling up, but one thing is clear so far: The new Club World Cup will be held with 32 teams from Africa, Asia, Europe, America and Oceania, including Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. The premiere will take place in the USA from June 15 to July 13, 2025. FIFA unveiled a logo and introduced “Freed from Desire” as the official song. So far, so good.

Allocation of TV rights stalls

Otherwise, much is uncertain. The awarding of broadcasting rights, which usually brings in large sums of money, is stalling. According to English media, Infantino recently even presented the advantages of the competition to potential TV stations after a deal with Apple TV reportedly fell through. Little is known about sponsors either. According to the platform SportingIntelligence, Saudi Arabia, the designated host of the 2034 World Cup, could step in as a sponsor under certain conditions. FIFA says that no details can be given about sponsors and broadcasting rights due to business secrets. “In due course” “more information” will be released.

At least: According to the Guardian, eight venues could be announced this week. According to the report, the choice fell on Pasadena, Seattle, Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, Philadelphia and two stadiums in New Jersey. The fact that, in addition to crowd-pullers such as FC Bayern and Real Madrid, clubs such as Auckland City and Al-Hilal are also taking part, which means that empty stands in oversized stadiums are a risk, made the search for suitable arenas more difficult. This was especially true as the Gold Cup was taking place on the US west coast at the same time.

Watzke is still enthusiastic

However, FIFA is facing a potentially even bigger problem using simple means designed to inspire the masses. The dispute between the players’ union FIFPro and the leagues with the world association has long since escalated. There is talk of an “oversaturated schedule” that poses a “risk to the health of the players”. That is why the representatives of the leagues and professionals are now fighting against the Club World Cup using legal means. In some places, a strike is even being considered.

But the supporters remain (still) cool. Watzke stressed that the competition is “evident” and “simply makes sense” – just as Infantino sees it. The Swiss sees the bloated Club World Cup as an “important development” for the sport and a tournament that will change the game and have a “permanent place in the football calendar” in the coming years. But there is still a lot of work to be done before then.