2022 FIFA Club World Cup: Space has been found on the overcrowded football calendar for the World Cup for club teams. This year it will be played in Morocco, the tournament will last ten days. We take you through the tournament: who is taking part, how does it work and where are the games played?
What is the Club World Cup?
For a long time that was simply a match between the best team in Europe and that of South America, but that is no longer the case. The Club World Cup is, as the name suggests, intended to designate the best team in the world. There are plans to expand it to 32 participants, but the upcoming edition will have seven teams.
Who’s participating?
So there are seven participants. Morocco has a place as host country, but because Wydad Casablanca also qualified by winning the African Champions League, losing finalist Al Ahly (Egypt) can also participate. Also present: Auckland City (winner of the Oceanic Champions League), Seattle Sounders FC (winner of the CONCACAF Champions League), Al Hilal (winner of the Asian Champions League), Real Madrid (winner of the Champions League) and Flamengo (winner of the Copa Libertadores).
How does it work?
There are four rounds. Auckland and Al Ahly enter in the first round and play against each other on Wednesday evening. Al Hilal, Wydad Casablanca and Seattle Sounders join in the second round. Together with the winner of the first round, they play for two places in the semi-finals. The other two spots are for the last two teams to make an appearance: Real Madrid and Flamengo.
Where is it played?
There are seven matches in total (third place is also played). These will be divided between the Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier and the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the capital Rabat, where the final is also held. That final is therefore on Saturday, February 11 at 8 p.m. in Rabat. The winner will succeed Chelsea. The Londoners won the tournament in Abu Dhabi last year.
2022 FIFA Club World Cup
This time around, Real Madrid will be eyeing their 5th Club World Cup title. By doing so they would add on to their already existing record.
