The tournament will include Premier League big guns Chelsea.
The 2021 FIFA Club World Cup will be played in Abu Dhabi FIFA has confirmed.
The news which was revealed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino at football’s governing body’s council meeting, sees the tournament shift from original hosts Japan after the Japan Football Association withdrew last month due to concerns over raising COVID-19 cases.
? The FIFA Council has announced the United Arab Emirates will host the #ClubWC in early 2022. Al Ahly, Al Jazira, Auckland City & Chelsea are already through. Monterrey-America, Al Hilal-Pohang & Palmeiras-Flamengo will decide the final 3 qualifiers ⬇️https://t.co/79IOiyJizE pic.twitter.com/AmOqRmttgw
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) October 20, 2021
No new date has been scheduled for the tournament in the capital, however, according to local media sources, it is believed that a February 2022 slot is under consideration.
Infantino said: “It was [at the council meeting] decided that the Club World Cup 2021 will be played in early 2022 — the exact dates are still to be confirmed — but after the withdrawal of Japan because of the pandemic, the host will be the United Arab Emirates, the UAE, who have hosted this event already a few times as you know.”
As mentioned by Infantino it is not the first time the Club World Cup has found a home in the UAE with Abu Dhabi playing host on four separate occasion sin 2009, 2010, 2017 and 2019. On those occasions Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid (twice) took home the trophy respectively.
The 2021 edition of the competition which brings together the world’s six continental champions will include Chelsea (Europe), Al Ahly of Egypt (Africa), and Auckland City (Oceania) plus the winners of Monterrey-America (North America), Al Hilal-Pohang (Asia) and Palmeiras-Flamengo (South America).
Local side Jazira will represent the host country after they lifted the Arabian Gulf League last season making it their second appearance at the Club World Cup.
Speaking on the announcement His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, general secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “We are absolutely delighted to host the Fifa Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi for the fifth time. It goes without saying the competition brings both the fan-favourite clubs and players from around the world.
“This is awesome and a tremendous honour for us. We would like to thank Fifa for the confidence and faith they have on us, based on the past successes of playing host to this immensely popular competition.
“We remain single-minded in our commitment to bringing world-class sports events to Abu Dhabi and making the UAE a central hub for sporting events.”
For all the latest sports news in Abu Dhabi, visit Yalla – Abu Dhabi Life
