Football is coming home to Abu Dhabi.
Football truly is the beautiful game. And in February, Abu Dhabi will be raising its flags and banners as the FIFA Club World Cup returns to the capital for a fifth occasion.
Arguably the biggest sporting event to be held in the United Arab Emirates in 2022, the tournament will see the world ’s best club exponents of putting the ball in the back of the net when they take to the pitches of the Al Nayhan Stadium and Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
Tickets for this football jamboree went on public sale at the beginning of this month with the final at the 37,500-seater Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium selling out within 48 hours, such is the fervour for the tournament.
And why would there not be such interest? After all, there is the opportunity to see in the flesh the likes of Belgium’s record goal-scorer, Romelu Lukaku, FIFA World Cup winner, N’Golo Kante, and midfield maestro and Euro 2020 champion, Jorginho, not to mention a chance to whet the footballing appetite for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, less than 12 months away.
For potential champions, Team Yalla is eyeing star-studded Chelsea who possess a squad of which only the others team could dream.
However, Palmeiras will be hoping to join fellow Brazilian compatriots Corinthians, Sao Paulo and Internacional in lifting the Sir Thomas Lipton trophy while African giants Al Ahly will be looking to make seventh time lucky in their attempts to become the first champions from the continent.
And let us not discount local heroes, Al Jazira, who will look to go one better than Al-Ain FC who in turn shocked the world in reaching the decider in 2018 before succumbing to the all-conquering Real Madrid.
Eleven players, 90 minutes and one goal, to become the FIFA Club World Cup champions for 2021.
All will be revealed on 12 February 2022. But what is clear now is that football is coming home to Abu Dhabi once again.
Score your tickets online at ticketmaster.ae
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