The proposed Nations League would replace the Confederation Cup as FIFA's second-tier competitionGETTY IMAGES
FIFA is "planning to team up with Saudi Arabian, Chinese and American investors" in a 12-year, $25B deal that "could add two major international tournaments to an already crowded soccer calendar," according to Dunbar & Harris of the AP. FIFA President Gianni Infantino is "looking to launch an expanded 24-team Club World Cup" -- played every four years starting in '21 -- and a "separate global competition for national teams every two years." Sources said that FIFA would have a 51% stake in the joint venture with the investors "underwriting guaranteed revenues" of at least $25B. The Club World Cup is "currently a seven-team event played each December and usually won by a European club," and a revamped event would "kill off the mostly unpopular Confederations Cup." The "second innovation, known as the Nations League, would replace the Confederations Cup as FIFA's second-tier competition in a format yet to be decided." The new competitions "could secure long-term revenue for many of the 211 FIFA member federations who rely on its financial support." It would also "provide a strong platform for Infantino to run for re-election next year." However, the project is "likely to face a hostile reception in Europe, which hosts the world's biggest stars and most popular club competitions." FIFA's partnership with investors "would guarantee" $12B in revenue from the Club World Cup, and FIFA "would decide where the tournament would be played, which would not necessarily be in China or Saudi Arabia." Revenue of $2B is "projected for each of six editions" of the Club World Cup and Nations League from '23-33, and $1B for a first competition of the Club World Cup in '21 when UEFA is "committed to the second edition of its own version" of Nations League (AP, 4/11).
