Club World Cup a huge, huge success, says Infantino

Qatar Tribune

a day ago

PA Media/DPA
New York
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has declared the Club World Cup a huge financial success on Saturday but insisted lessons will be learned for next year's international equivalent.
Infantino has revealed the world governing body's revamped tournament - staged in the United States over the past month as a 32-team event for the first time - has generated more than $2 billion in revenue.
The competition concludes in New York on Sunday with a final between Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League side Chelsea which will be attended by US President Donald Trump.
Infantino told media at an event in Trump Tower: 'The golden era of global club football has started. We can say definitely this FIFA Club World Cup has been a huge, huge, huge success.
'Of course, there are a lot of positives, some negatives. We respect everyone's opinion. It has been successful.
'We heard financially it would not work but I can say we generated over $2 billion in revenues with this competition.
'We earned on average $33 million per match. There is no other cup competition in the world that comes close to $33 million per match.
'It is already the most successful club competition in the world.' Despite that, the tournament has attracted considerable criticism over issues including its scheduling in the calendar, poor attendances, venue choices, kick-off times, standard of pitches and the weather.
The elements have been a recurring issue with a number of matches played in extreme heat during the hottest parts of the day and others hit with long delays due to thunderstorms.
This has raised concerns, most notably about player welfare, with the US also one of the co-hosts of next year's World Cup along with Canada and Mexico.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez even said this week conditions during his side's semi-final against Fluminense on Tuesday, when the temperature was 35C, were 'very dangerous'.
Infantino says these issues have been noted and better use will be made in 2026 of indoor, air-conditioned venues in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Vancouver.
He added: 'Of course, the heat is definitely an issue. It's an issue around the world.
'I remember it was the same in the Olympics in Paris and in other football games.
'But we have stadiums in America that are covered and one in Canada in Vancouver and we will definitely use these stadiums more during the day.'
Infantino responded to criticism over poor attendances at some matches by saying 2.5 million tickets were sold, equating to an average of 40,000 per match.
He said: 'There is no league in the world with that number, except the Premier League which, of course, has home teams.' Infantino also thanked President Trump for his endorsement of the tournament and decision to attend the final.
'He loves the game,' he said. 'You cannot organise a competition like this without the full support of the Government.
'Great thanks to President Trump - he has been fantastic and he is attending the final tomorrow as well.'