The ongoing debate surrounding the frequency of the revamped Club World Cup is capturing significant attention within the football community. Major clubs, including the iconic Real Madrid, are advocating for the tournament to be held every two years. The rationale? An increase in revenue that aligns with the clubs’ growing financial ambitions. However, according to various sources, FIFA stands firmly against this proposal, calling it “impossible.”
There hasn’t been any official request to FIFA as yet, but discussions during the recent tournament in the United States have revealed that executives from several prominent clubs have voiced their hopes to see this change materialize. The crux of their argument hinges on the financial windfall that such an event could generate, echoing the experiences from the latest edition of the tournament.
FIFA, on the other hand, is pleased with how the current iteration of the Club World Cup turned out. They are presently organizing for the next tournament scheduled for 2029, which they deem a more feasible timeline. During the last tournament, FIFA allocated a staggering $1 billion among the participating teams, setting a high bar for future editions. The financial implications of hosting it every two years thus raise questions about feasibility and sustainability.
The impact of the revenue generated from the recent Club World Cup was undeniable. Real Madrid, who advanced to the semifinals, secured a remarkable $82.5 million, while the champions, Chelsea, reaped a whopping $114.6 million. This distribution of wealth illustrates the tournament’s lucrative nature, but it also leads to a crucial concern: can FIFA reproduce such financial results on a biennial basis?
Moreover, FIFA believes that increasing the frequency of the Club World Cup could lead to scheduling conflicts with UEFA competitions, a scenario that doesn’t align with their strategic interests. With the current football calendar already saturated with domestic and international fixtures, accommodating another major tournament could prove to be a logistical nightmare.
In addition to the logistical concerns, there is also the question of venue. Sources have indicated that FIFA is eyeing Qatar as a potential candidate to host the 2029 Club World Cup. With experience from the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar possesses the necessary infrastructure and financial backing to pull off such large-scale events again. However, the extreme weather conditions in the region would necessitate scheduling the tournament in December, further complicating matters.
The opinions within the football community vary widely. Real Madrid’s former coach, Carlo Ancelotti, previously rejected the idea of participation in the revamped world tournament, citing financial disparities. He famously noted that “one single Real Madrid game is worth €20 million,” questioning the rationale behind FIFA’s financial offerings for the entire tournament.
Leading figures in European football, like LaLiga president Javier Tebas, have also been vocally critical of FIFA’s vision for the Club World Cup. Tebas’s concerns reflect a broader unease within the league regarding the tournament’s structure and financial distribution, emphasizing the need for more equitable arrangements that benefit all stakeholders involved.
