On Wednesday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially announced that it will host this season's Club World Cup in early 2022, according to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The 2021 edition was originally set to take place in Japan in December, but the Japan Football Association withdrew its offer last month citing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
The UAE has previously staged the Club World Cup four times, with Abu Dhabi acting as host in 2009, 2010, 2017, and 2018. The 2021 tournament will feature Egypt's giant Al-Ahly, Chelsea, and five other continental club champions.
Infantino added, “It was decided that the Club World Cup 2021 will be played in early 2022 - the exact dates are still to be confirmed - but the hosts, after the withdrawal of Japan because of the pandemic, will be the United Arab Emirates, the UAE, who have hosted this event already a few times as you know.”
Chelsea qualify as reigning European champions, alongside African counterparts Al Ahly of Egypt, and Oceanic champions Auckland City of New Zealand. Jazira, who captured last season’s Arabian Gulf League – the domestic competition has since been renamed the Adnoc Pro League – will contest the event for the second time. The Abu Dhabi club reached the semi-final in their only other appearance, in 2017, where they were defeated 2-1 by eventual winners Real Madrid.
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