FIFA President Gianni Infantino is assessing nine offers from companies seeking to buy the commercial and broadcasting rights for a new club competition he hopes will become the most lucrative in world football, usurping Europe's Champions League.
The deadline passed Thursday for investors to submit tenders for the rebooted Club World Cup, which is due to begin in June 2021 with a 24-team group stage.
"The Club World Cup will become the best club competition in the world whatever FIFA is doing has to be the best," Infantino said Friday.
"We shouldn't be worried or ashamed about the commercial success. I want the Club World Cup to be the best in terms of quality on the pitch, but also in terms of revenues."
"Obviously, it's the mission of UEFA. The mission of FIFA is the world. If we can pay and we can generate more revenues for the clubs, the big clubs, the 10, 12 Europeans or 15, or however many, it will be 20 in future but also 30 around the world, then we've done something good."
In a tender document to potential investors seen by The Associated Press, FIFA said it is "building the tournament into the world's greatest club football experience."
"And we have to think about what kind of platforms and competitions we can give them. The new Club World Cup is certainly one that goes in that direction."