FIFA Wants to Out-Champion the Champions League
In the years when there isn't a World Cup and all the revenue streams that go with it, no one has to be the Amazing Kreskin to read FIFA's mind when they gaze upon other competitions they don't control:
Look at all that dosh.
Now that its brass has to depend on income other than bribery, they're actually having to create legitimate ways to do it.
As if the football calendar isn't jammed to the gills, already.
FIFA's seen UEFA impose a Nations League with Concacaf following suit. Seemingly in respose, then, they're taking a hard look at raising the status of their Club World Cup.
They've been tossing the concept around for a long while. Now, it looks like they're finally gonna go all-in and challenge the Champions League as the premier competition at that level:
Of course UEFA would oppose this, and being real, when's the last time FIFA gave a rusty one about what you think?
OGs know that ...
- If your side's in it, you'll follow it and support it, and
- If your side's not in it, you'll still bet on it and get caught up in the excitement.
Most importantly for them, they know they'll get it sponsored, big time.
Ironically, FIFA's argument in favor of this approach is logical.
They see the Champions League suck cash outta every hectare of the world and figure an expanded Club World Cup would redistribute it more equitably. Still, it doesn't go amiss that they're the ones doing the distributing.
It just so happens the current Club World Cup is wrapping up in Doha this weekend, where Liverpool and Flamengo of Brazil will vie for the title.
Its format has always been a cozy affair, drawing together champions from every region:
- UEFA Champions League (Europe),
- Copa Libertadores (South America),
- Concacaf Champions League (North America),
- AFC Champions League (Asia),
- CAF Champions League (Africa), and
- OFC Champions League (Oceania).
Adding another 16-22 teams might have the big clubs wondering if they should explore a football version of staggering on and industrial scale. English sides are already running out their reserves and youth players for domestic cup ties, which almost seems like cheating the fans who pay to see them.
That's what the 'Pool did for its League Cup match against Aston Villa, mainly because the big dudes were in Doha and it was easier than finding an alternative date.
If FIFA follows through with their plans -- and factoring player wear-&-tear into the equation -- that's gonna get a lot more commonplace for the local fans.
Par for the course, because again, when's the last time football's overlords cared what they think?