São Paulo – Fifa has announced the match schedule for the Fifa Club World Cup, to take place in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, between December 9th and 19th. This is the first time that the cup will take place in an Arab country and the second time it is hosted outside Japan. In 2000, the tournament took place in Brazil.
The selection of the eight teams took place at Abu Dhabi palace, and included the presence of Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, honorary president of the Football Association of the United Arab Emirates and president of the Board of Sports of Abu Dhabi.
Present at the event were the president of the Football Association of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed Khalfan Al-Rumaithi, the secretary general of the Abu Dhabi Board of Sports, Mohammed Ebrahim Al Mahmood, the president of the Organizing Committee at the Fifa and member of the organisation’s Executive Committee, Chuck Blazer, and representatives of the seven clubs participating in the competition.
"There is just one month to go before the tournament. We want to welcome the players, support teams and supporters of all seven clubs, many of whom should be visiting the Emirates for the first time. We are confident that all the work and preparation we had over the last 18 months should guarantee a memorable tournament for everyone to have fun.”
Brazil will not have representatives this edition of the championship. The Argentine Estudiantes, current champion of Libertadores Cup in Latin America, should be the participant in Latin America.
"The calendar of matches is now complete and a fantastic selection of teams and players has been confirmed. We are anxious to see great football played in Abu Dhabi in less than three months. The support and excitement for the tournament in the Emirates has been enormous and we are confident that all the clubs will be received with great warmth,” said Chuck Blazer.
Confirm below the match chart for the Club World Cup:
December 9th – Al Ahli FC x Auckland City FC
December 11th – TP Mazembe x Pohang Steelers FC
December 12th – Winner of the first match x Atlante FC
December 15th – Winner of the second match x Estudiantes de La Plata
December 16th – Winner of the third match x FC Barcelona
December 16th (fifth place decision): Loser of the first match x Loser of the third match
December 19th (third place decision): Loser of the fourth match x Loser of the fifth match
December 19th (Final) – Winner of the fourth match x winner of the fifth match
*Translated by Mark Ament
