FIFA has major Liverpool and Man Utd concern ahead of controversial new $80m competition
FIFA's new Club World Cup — a tournament set to begin next year in the United States and then to be held every four years after that — has already seemingly run into a few issues. And that is before coming to the one that involves Liverpool.
As it stands, there has been no public announcement of any sponsors, broadcasters, or prize money for the competition. As the next World Cup host, the United States was told that it would be hosting this competition too rather than having been part of a bidding process, with the venues having only just been confirmed.
Players including Rodri and Alisson Becker have already spoken out about the increasing physical demands being placed on players because of expanded and new competitions. Some clubs believe this Club World Cup could be a good platform to play more big games, however, and unlike the European Super League idea, it isn't a closed shop.
Arne Slot set to experience what Jurgen Klopp hated as Dominik Szoboszlai could lead 5 changes
I’ve seen Arne Slot change Liverpool needed and Man City and Arsenal should be scared
One major problem, though, is that Liverpool, having not won the Champions League in the last four years, would not be involved in the inaugural competition; neither would Manchester United or Arsenal. That is having a detrimental impact when it comes to drawing up interest in the tournament from fans and broadcasters alike.
If those teams are not there, the value of the TV deals is limited. And with this being a new format, there is no real gauge for how seriously it would be taken by the clubs and how much supporters would actually want to attend. Would it be prestigious, or would it be another type of pre-season trophy that doesn't really mean anything?
The prize money, expected to be worth upward of $50m when it is eventually announced, would be more than what clubs currently make on lucrative US tours. But there is a danger for FIFA as a result that its competition simply replaces those and the matches, played in the off-season during the summer, essentially replace the warm-ups for the Premier League and the Champions League.
Many big European clubs who would be involved in the competition in 2025 are in favor of it because it allows them to take part in some exciting fixtures and go "global", the Independent reports. FIFA president Gianni Infantino telling them the prize money would be $80m has probably helped convince a few as well.
Could the Club World Cup become as influential as the Champions League within soccer? It is possible. Right now, though, Liverpool won't be involved in the first edition. The way things have unfolded up to now, you wouldn't want to guarantee that there will be a second four years later, before even trying to guess how prestigiously it might be viewed.
Without Liverpool and Manchester United, in particular, the United States' interest is limited. And amid a general discussion at the moment about whether soccer has already reached saturation point, it doesn't feel like the ideal time to be pitching even more games when the audience and appetite for them is limited.