The Digest:
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has made a bold proclamation, hailing the newly expanded Club World Cup as "the most successful club competition in the world." His statement comes ahead of the 2025 final between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, despite significant criticism regarding player welfare, high temperatures in the US, and initial doubts about fan interest.
Key Points:
- Infantino's Stance: Speaking from FIFA's new office at Trump Tower in New York, Infantino confidently declared a "golden age of club football" and touted the tournament's "huge success."
- Financial Success Claim: He reported revenues of "almost $2.1 billion for 63 matches," averaging an unprecedented "$33 million per match," a figure he states no other club competition approaches.
- Addressing Criticism: The tournament faced backlash from figures like former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp, who called it "the worst idea ever." However, Infantino dismissed these as isolated European opinions, insisting participating teams were "happy."
- Qualification Matters: Infantino acknowledged wishing more European giants like Liverpool or Barcelona were present but stressed that teams "have to qualify" based on set criteria.
- Future Outlook: The next edition is set for 2029. Infantino hinted at the tournament's longevity, stating, "We created something new, something which is here to stay, something which is changing the landscape of club football."
Source: Goal, Vanguard
