Gearing Up for BVB's Kickoff: Watzke Emphasizes inclusivity in World Football
Europeans Don't Own Soccer Exclusively, Claims Watzke - Football's Exclusivity is Disputed by Watzke: It's Not Just for Europeans
Get ready to cheer louder, fans—Borussia Dortmund's long-time CEO, Hans-Joachim Watzke, is making waves with his staunch defense of the revamped Club World Cup. In an exclusive chat with "Kicker," Watzke boldly stated, "Football ain't just for Europen folks. The world wants a crack at Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, too!"
On June 20th, Dortmund squares off against Fluminense from Rio de Janeiro in East Rutherford, New York. Then, they'll take on Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa in Cincinnati (June 21st) and Ulsan HD from South Korea again in Cincinnati on June 25th. Watzke predicts, "This new Club World Cup scheme will evolve, giving us a top-notch spectacle every four years." The BVB players are raring to go!
Watzke wasn't too fond of the old Club World Cup, calling it "a clown show," and he's pleased to see a revamp that he! believes will empower clubs from other continents.
The month-long tournament, taking place across the US for the first time, features 32 teams, with Germany sending FC Bayern and Dortmund to the global stage. For Watzke, this is a golden opportunity for teams like his to face off against the big guns of Asia, South America, and Africa.
In the past, the tournament was mocked due to its unequal format. There were separate events for national teams and European clubs, with no corresponding international event for the rest of the world. Fans in Africa, Asia, and South America have long complained about this mismatch. The traditional Club World Cup format in December was like a punchline in a cheesy joke, according to Watzke.
But things are looking up for teams from these territories:
- More Teams: South America (CONMEBOL) now boasts six teams and Asia (AFC) and Africa (CAF) are each represented by four teams, up from just one or two per continent in previous editions.
- Global Visibility: More clubs from these regions can now showcase their talent on the international stage, increasing their global profile and potentially attracting resources.
- Equal Footing: By adopting a World Cup-style format, FIFA aims to elevate the Club World Cup’s importance, reducing the differences between teams from different continents in terms of tournament structure.
Hans-Joachim Watzke and the BVB team have seen the change as a chance to spread the love for the beautiful game worldwide, acknowledging the ambitions of the revamped Club World Cup but voicing concerns about fixture congestion and travel demands. Despite these concerns, European club leaders have recognised the necessity of a more global tournament, with the potential to foster inclusivity and enrich the football world.
Sources:
[1] FIFA: "Club World Cup, 2025 Edition"[2] The Guardian: "Club World Cup Expansion: FIFA Embraces the Future of Football"[3] ESPN: "Club World Cup Gets a Makeover: What's New, and Why?"[4] The New York Times: "Elite Clubs Go Globetrotting for FIFA's Club World Cup"[5] CNN Sport: "Club World Cup and Its Impact on Global Football"
The Commission, in light of Watzke's advocacy for global football inclusivity, might consider proposing a directive for the protection of the environment during these international sporting events, such as the Club World Cup. Meanwhile, with the upcoming BVB matches, football analysis is expected to focus not only on the strategies of the players but also on the implications of the revamped Club World Cup for the future of sports.
