The 2021 FIFA Club World Cup™ takes place in Abu Dhabi (UAE) next month, and will feature the likes of Premier League club Chelsea F.C. (UK), the Emirati professional football club Al Jazira, the professional multisports club based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Al Hilal SFC, the Egyptian professional sports club Al Ahly SC, and the Brazilian professional football club Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras. Here are the details.
What is it?
‘The National’ stated that the FIFA Club World Cup™ is a seven-team tournament bringing together the champions of the six continental confederations and the host nation’s most recent league winners. The 2021 edition was originally set for Japan in December 2021, but the Japan Football Association withdrew in September citing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic which still continues to cause ravages the world over. In October, the UAE won the right to host the tournament for the fifth time in its history (the previous events were 2009, 2010, 2017, and 2018).
When is it?
The tournament will run from February 3rd to 12th, 2022 with Al Jazira’s home pitch – the 42,056-capacity Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi and the Emirati professional football club Al Wahda FC’s residence – the 12,000-capacity Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi – providing the venues for the matches.
Which teams are taking part?
- Al Jazira (UAE) – 2020-2021 Adnoc Pro League (top professional football league in UAE) winners (2nd appearance in tournament);
- Premier League club Chelsea F.C. (England, UK) – 2020-2021 UEFA Champions League winners (2nd);
- Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras (Brazil) – 2021 Copa Libertadores (the highest level of competition in South American club football) winners (2nd);
- Al Hilal SFC (Saudi Arabia) – 2021 Asian Champions League winners (2nd);
- Al Ahly SC (Egypt) – 2020-2021 CAF Champions League (Africa’s football leagues) winners (7th);
- C.F. Monterrey (Mexico) – 2021 Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) Champions League winners (5th); and
- A.S. Pirae (Tahiti – French Polynesia) – Oceania Football Confederation nominees (1st).
Fixtures
First round:
- February 3rd – Al Jazira vs. A.S. Pirae, Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, 8:30 pm.
Second round:
- February 5th – Al Ahly SC vs. C.F. Monterrey, Al Nahyan Stadium, 8:30 pm; and
- February 6th – Al Hilal SFC vs. Winners Match 1, Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, 8:30 pm.
Semi-finals:
- February 8th – Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras vs. Winners Match 2, Al Nahyan Stadium, 8:30 pm; and
- February 9th – Chelsea F.C. vs. Winners Match 3, Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, 8:30 pm.
Match for fifth place:
- February 9th – Losers Match 2 vs. Losers Match 3, Al Nahyan Stadium, 5:30 pm.
Match for third place:
- February 12th – Losers Match 6 vs. Losers Match 4, Al Nahyan Stadium, 5 pm.
Final
- February 12th – Winners Match 6 vs. Winners Match 4, Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, 8:30 pm.
Tickets
‘The National’ further stated that tickets begin at Dh20, with seats for the final ranging from Dh50 to Dh200. Organizers stated that strict COVID-19 measures will be in place for the tournament. To gain entry to matches, ticket holders must present their Green Pass on the Alhosn app to show their fully vaccinated status and a negative PCR test result valid for no more than 48 hours.
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