Looking at this map it is understandable to realise the power FIFA holds compared to other sporting bodies. Whatever they decide will not always be for the greater good of the game, but what is good for FIFA. This is all about revenue and how many dollars they can make.
We saw how they short changed Budweiser in Qatar even though Budweiser has had along standing relationship with them. FIFA must have known long before that this was going to happen pulling the alcohol sales and only having restricted zones like at restaurants and at the hotels. Budweiser were played for a fool so the blame could be shifted onto the Qatar Government and not FIFA.
This week FIFA announced a proposal to have a club World Cup every four years sandwiched in the middle of the four year cycle of the normal World Cup.
Next year we will see the Club World Cup take pace in Morocco with 7 teams which would dramatically change in 2025 with the proposal of 32 teams. 4 teams in 8 pools so an additional 6 matches that season for the finalists. This cannot be seen as a positive for the game as you have to ask yourself why do FIFA want to add this tournament to their list?
UEFA have the rights to the lucrative Champions League which is the umbrella for 55 National Football Associations. FIFA have the World Cup every 4 years whilst the UEFA has The European Cup every 4 years plus the Champions League every year. FIFA are fighting for a bigger slice of the monetary pie and more control in football than they already have.
As you can clearly see the UEFA revenue is on the increase with last year achieving well over 5 billion euros. The format they have works and is only getting bigger and bigger.
If we compare this figure to FIFA who earn from a 4 year cycle selling the World Cup with sponsors and tv rights etc. The bulk of the World football revenue is being earned by UEFA and this is obviously a fear FIFA have as they are playing second fiddle. The biggest and most powerful sports ruling body is losing their grip to UEFA and UEFA s not going to stand by and lose control.
This proposed 32 team club World Cup is about trying to increase FIFA's earnings and I cannot see UEFA letting this happen. This would affect the season too much taking away from the Champions League. Lets be honest whoever wins the Champions League or who is in the Champions League will most likely win the Club World Cup. UEFA doesn't need added games increasing an already congested fixture list.
In some ways you start to wonder if having the World Cup in Qatar was more of a power struggle to show UEFA who is boss by disrupting the European season on purpose. FIFA have proven in the past how corrupt they really are and the greed within the set up would like far more monetary rewards.
As you can see the stats don't lie and they tell a story that is far more interesting than just reading headlines about a new Club World Cup as this is all about trying to regain control of the game along with the dollars on offer.