The 2021 Fifa Club World Cup takes place in Abu Dhabi, and features the likes of Chelsea, Al Jazira, Al Hilal, Al Ahly and Palmeiras. Here are the details.
What is it?
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 last month, but the Japan Football Association withdrew in September citing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. 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).
Fifa Club World Cup: four previous finals in Abu Dhabi - in pictures
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December, 2009: Gerard Pique jumps next to teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic as Barcelona beat Argentina's Estudiantes 2-1 after extra time at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi. AFP -
Barcelona's Lionel Messi is challenged by Rodrigo Brana of Estudiantes. AFP -
Barcelona's players celebrate after winning the 2009 Fifa Club World Cup at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi. AFP -
December 2010: Inter Milan on their way to a 3-0 victory over Congo's TP Mazembe. Action Images -
Samuel Eto'o celebrates after scoring Inter Milan's second goal. Action Images -
December 2017: Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo curls the ball over the Gremio wall to score from a free-kick during their 1-0 win at Zayed Sports City Stadium. AFP -
Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos challenges for the ball with Gremio's Brazilian forward Jael. AFP -
Real Madrid's Marcelo, Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos celebrate with the Fifa Club World Cup trophy. AFP -
December 2018: Al Ain defender Ismail Ahmed (R) battles for the ball with Real Madrid's Gareth Bale during the Fifa Club World Cup final. Real won 4-1. AFP -
Defender Sergio Ramos (R) celebrates after scoring against Abu Dhabi's Al Ain. AFP -
Al Ain midfielder Mohamed Abdulrahman (C-R) fights for the ball with Real Madrid's Brazilian defender Marcelo. AFP -
Marcelo celebrates after winning the Fifa Club World Cup final in Abu Dhabi. AFP
When is it?
The tournament runs February 3-12, with Jazira’s Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium and Al Wahda’s Al Nahyan Stadium providing the venues for the matches.
Which teams are taking part?
Al Jazira (UAE) – 2020/21 Adnoc Pro League winners (2nd appearance in tournament)
Chelsea (England) – 2020/21 Uefa Champions League winners (2nd)
Palmeiras (Brazil) – 2021 Copa Libertadores winners (2nd)
Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) – 2021 Asian Champions League winners (2nd)
Al Ahly (Egypt) – 2020/21 Caf Champions League winners (7th)
Monterrey (Mexico) – 2021 Concacaf Champions League winners (5th)
AS Pirae (Tahiti) – Oceania Football Confederation nominees (1st)
Fixtures
First round:
February 3 – Al Jazira v AS Pirae, MBZ Stadium, 8:30pm
Second round:
February 5 – Al Ahly v Monterrey, Al Nahyan Stadium, 8:30pm
February 6 – Al Hilal v Winners Match 1, MBZ Stadium, 8:30pm
Semi-finals
February 8 – Palmeiras v Winners Match 2, Al Nahyan Stadium, 8:30pm
February 9 – Chelsea v Winners Match 3, MBZ Stadium, 8:30pm
Match for fifth place
February 9 – Losers Match 2 v Losers Match 3, Al Nahyan Stadium, 5:30pm
Match for third place
February 12 – Losers Match 6 v Losers Match 4, Al Nahyan Stadium, 5pm
Final
February 12 – Winners Match 6 v Winners Match 4, MBZ Stadium, 8:30pm
Previous finals in UAE
2009 – Barcelona 2-1 Estudiantes (a.e.t.)
2010 – Inter Milan 3-0 TP Mazembe
2017 – Real Madrid 1-0 Gremio
2018 – Real Madrid 4-1 Al Ain
Tickets
Tickets begin at Dh20, with seats for the final ranging from Dh50 to Dh200. Organisers say 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. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.ae.
