Gianni Infantino
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has secured a deal with DAZN to show Club World Cup games for free
FIFA have been left red-faced after being left without a TV broadcaster for next summer's Club World Cup, with streamer DAZN set to air the competition for free.
The 32-team Club World Cup will kick off on June 15 until July 13 in 2025 but the new format has received plenty of criticism over fears of player burnout.
Manchester City, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, PSG and Lionel Messi's Inter Miami are just some of the high-profile teams that are set to feature in the revamped tournament.
But FIFA have been struggling to drum up interest from broadcasters to air the competition and with just six months left before it starts, they have given the rights to DAZN. Viewers will be able to watch the tournament for no extra cost.
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In September it was reported that FIFA president Gianni Infantino had scheduled an emergency briefing with TV executives to secure commercial deals for the tournament. The Athletic's report claimed that the direct involvement of Infantino in the emergency meetings indicated the severity of the situation.
It was also claimed that clubs had not been informed about the prize money that would be available at the tournament, with the biggest teams initially budgeting for an initial £37.6million.
However, Infantino expressed excitement over the deal and said the partnership with DAZN will be of benefit to all football fans.
The revamped Club World Cup has received criticism because of concerns over player burnout
FIFA have completey rejigged the Club World Cup ( Image: Getty Images)
He said: "I am delighted to announce that FIFA, in partnership with DAZN and FIFA+, will bring the best of club football for free to everywhere in the world, meaning that every single football fan across the globe can watch the best players from the 32 best clubs compete in the new FIFA Club World Cup to be the first official ‘FIFA Club World Champions.
"Through this broadcasting agreement, billions of football fans worldwide can now watch what will be the most widely accessible club football tournament ever - and FOR FREE. Football Unites the World."
FIFA had previously been in talks with tech giant Apple before talks broke down, according to the report, leading to the organisation opening up a tender to attract more interest from TV firms.
Inter Miami will kick off the opening game of the tournament, which has been criticised by the likes of Manchester City star Rodri, who believes it has added to the recent fixture pile-up that is putting a strain on players.
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