Predictions and Expectations for Club-WM: Watzke's Hot Take on Europe's Fierce Competition
European squads sizzling with anticipation ahead of Pre-Club World Cup - European teams are heating up like a sizzling pan ahead of the World Cup, according to Watzke.
Get ready for the revolutionized Club-WM! In an exclusive interview with Münchner Merkur/tz, Bayern's CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen and Borussia Dortmund's CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke shared their insights on the upcoming tournament.
"Sportingly, it's a brutal battle - and winning the first global tournament spanning all continents makes history," Dreesen said, accompanied by Watzke. "Just like Uruguay's first-ever World Cup win in 1930, the inaugural Club-WM winner will forever be etched in our minds," Watzke emphasized. The Club-WM kicks off this weekend in the USA and goes on until mid-July. Only Bayern and BVB represent the Bundesliga in this event.
High Rewards, Sky-High Costs
"Every football fanatic will be burning with ambition – no one will slack off for a second," Watzke declared. The tournament boasts a magnificent total prize money of one billion US dollars, equivalent to about 876 million euros. The champion of the final on July 13 in East Rutherford may potentially earn 125 million US dollars (approximately 110 million euros) in prize money.
"The payout is huge, but remember, it's divvied up by four teams," Watzke explained. "After all, the Champions League takes place annually, while the Club-WM is held every four years. Higher performance bonuses for players and exorbitant travel costs are also factors." The Club-WM will be hosted across twelve stadiums for 63 matches.
Who Will Rise to the Top?
The two football executives hesitated to make a decisive title prediction. "It's like the Champions League: Our goal is to make it past the group stage and from there, advance to the quarterfinals, semifinals, and so on. But we shouldn't believe that only European teams are a threat," Watzke stated.
"At least one European team will likely reach the final, possibly two," Watzke predicted. Watzke sees Paris Saint-Germain as the leading candidate for the championship. "A powerhouse team ready to bleed for victory. The squad I trust the most," he said.
For specific favorites and underdogs, additional sources or direct statements from the interviewees would be required.
The Commission, in light of the upcoming Club-WM, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation during the hectic travel schedules across the twelve stadiums for the tournament. On the field, European teams, such as Paris Saint-Germain, are expected to put up a strong fight in the global competition, much like the fierce battles seen in the premier leagues of European football.
