Infantino Hails Club World Cup as “New Era” for Football

FIFA president Gianni Infantino defends the Club World Cup's ticketing policy and predicts the tournament will be a success, citing a $1 billion broadcasting deal with DAZN.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino hails the upcoming Club World Cup as a “new era” for football, drawing parallels with the inaugural World Cup in 1930. Infantino also defended FIFA's ticketing policy and predicted critics would soon change their stance on the tournament's relevance.

The 32-team Club World Cup kicks off with Inter Miami vs Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium. FIFA president Gianni Infantino says the tournament marks a “new era of football, a new era of club football. A little bit like when, in 1930, the first World Cup, right, started.”

“We want to be inclusive. We want to give opportunities to clubs from all over the world,” he said.

“It's really to globalise football, to make it truly, truly global. Because when you scratch the surface, we say it's the number one sport in the world, and it is but then the elite is very concentrated in very few clubs, in very few countries,” he said.

As the head of FIFA, football’s governing body, Gianni Infantino is the most powerful figure in the sport.

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino highlighted that the Club World Cup will feature players from over 80 countries, further emphasizing the tournament's global reach and opportunities.

“Countries who would never have a chance to play in a World Cup are suddenly part of a World Cup and they feel to be part of it, the fans of these players and of these clubs,” added Infantino, who noted several great players of the past who never played in a World Cup.

“A very good friend of mine is George Weah...former legend, great player, Ballon d'Or winner, only African player who ever won the Ballon d'Or, by the way. He never played in a World Cup. He would have been playing in a Club World Cup and made not only his club and also his country proud,” he added.

A New Era for Club Football

“I believe, I'm convinced that, you know, as soon as the ball starts rolling, the whole world will realise what is happening here. It's something special,” Infantino said, dismissing doubts over the tournament's value. He also rejected concerns about fixture congestion.

FIFA's dynamic ticketing policy, which adjusts prices based on demand, has faced criticism due to reportedly low ticket sales for some games.

Infantino defended FIFA's dynamic pricing and highlighted discounts offered to students in Miami, pushing back against criticism.

“I'm a positive person generally, but they criticize FIFA if the prices are too high, then they criticize FIFA if the prices are too low.

“Then they criticise FIFA if we make ticketing promotions with students. Students! I mean, when I was a student and I didn't have money, I would have loved FIFA to come to me and say, you want to come and watch a World Cup match?

“We don't want to see empty stadiums. I believe the stadiums will be pretty full,” he said.

“Everyone today speaks about the very first World Cup,” Infantino said. “That's why it's also, this World Cup here is historic.” The Club World Cup will feature teams from all continents, giving clubs outside Europe and South America a chance to shine globally, unlike the first World Cup in 1930, which was limited to European and South American teams in Uruguay.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino declared the tournament an economic success, citing a $1 billion global broadcasting deal with DAZN. He emphasized that revenue from commercial deals will be reinvested into football. Infantino expressed confidence in the tournament's success, saying he'd “feel it in his heart.”

“In terms of inclusivity, in terms of economy, in terms of fan interest, you take all of these criteria, we'll speak again at the end of the club World Cup, but already now, I (feel positive), when I look at the number of tickets sold, and I look at the TV rights,” he said, noting that the games were available on DAZN's streams for free.

“Tell me one top competition today, where you can watch football for free?” he asked.

The Club World Cup has been entangled in US immigration debates, with games near Los Angeles, a site of violent clashes between protesters and immigration officers.

“Security for me and for us is a top priority, always. So when something is happening, like in Los Angeles we are obviously monitoring the situation, we are in constant contact with the authorities, we want fans to go in games in a safe environment,” he said.