Club World Cup ushers in new era of football
In an interview with Agence France-Presse, Infantino emphasized the "historic" nature of this new competition ahead of its launch, with the opening match set for Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, featuring Inter Miami, led by Argentine star Lionel Messi, against Egypt's Al Ahly in Group A.
Infantino noted, "It's somewhat similar to when the first World Cup for national teams was launched in 1930. Today, everyone is talking about this new tournament, which is why it is historic."
He recalled that 95 years ago, the inaugural men's World Cup took place in Uruguay (1930), involving only teams from Europe and South America, and stated that the Club World Cup will provide opportunities for teams outside the traditional strongholds of the sport to participate on the global stage.
"Globalising Football"
He continued, "The real goal is to globalize football and make it truly worldwide. When we delve into it, we say it's the number one sport in the world, and it is, but the elite is concentrated in very few clubs and very few countries."
The Swiss official, who served as UEFA's Secretary General before becoming FIFA President in 2016, explained that the Club World Cup will also create opportunities for players from over 80 countries to participate.
Infantino mentioned several great former players who never participated in a World Cup, stating, "Countries that never had the chance to be part of the World Cup suddenly become part of it, and the fans of those players and clubs feel included."
He referenced his dear friend, Liberia's George Weah, a former legend and the only African to win the Ballon d'Or, who has never participated in a World Cup but would have the chance to compete in the Club World Cup, taking pride not just in his club but also in his country.
Addressing criticism
Despite facing criticism regarding the pressure on schedules at the end of a tough season for many players in Europe, Infantino defended the project. He acknowledged that the stacked matches during the Club World Cup, which runs until July 13, could strain stars like Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland.
Infantino confidently stated, "I am convinced that once the ball starts rolling, the whole world will realize what is happening here. It will be a special event."
"Stadiums will be full"
He added, "We don't want empty stadiums. I am sure they will be full."
In defending his project, Infantino explained that granting broadcasting rights for the Club World Cup to the streaming platform DAZN for a check of one billion dollars has already made it financially successful.
Regarding the success of the tournament itself, he said, "In terms of inclusivity, economics, and fan interest, we will discuss all these criteria at the end of the Club World Cup, but right now I feel optimistic when I look at the number of tickets sold and the broadcasting rights," noting that matches are available for free on DAZN.
He questioned, "Tell me about one of the major tournaments today where you can watch football for free?"
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