The 2021 FIFA CLUB Works Cup will begin on Thursday February 3rd 2022 in the United Arab Emirates, UAE.
Champions of the continents of the world have converged the Asian nation to slug it out for the world best club for the 2021 football calendar.
European champions Chelsea will be eyeing glory in the tournament.
As a result of winning last term’s Champions League final against Manchester City, Chelsea will now be in action in the United Arab Emirates to square up against the world best in league competition.
Chelsea are in the tournament with 2021 Copa Libertadores winners Palmeiras, Africa’s CAF Champions League winner, Al Ahly of Egypt as well as the champions of the other confederations in world football.
The competition was due to take place last December but it had to be pushed back to early 2022 due to COVID-19 concerns with original host nation of Japan withdrawing hosting after 2020 Olympic Games heightened coronavirus concerns in that country.
Specific dates have now been revealed with the location changed to the UAE. The tournament will run from Thursday, February 3 until the final on Saturday, February 12.
Chelsea, the bookers favourite, will take part in the Club World Cup as UEFA’s representatives, the Blues will enter at the semi-final stage meaning they will only play two games at the tournament.
The other sides include 2021 Copa Libertadores champions Palmeiras, Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia, Egypt’s Al Ahly from Africa and Al Jazira from host nations, the UAE.
Tahiti’s AS Pirae and Monterrey from Mexico will also compete.
2021 FIFA Club World Cup fixtures
First round
Al Jazira v AS Pirae – February 3, at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium
Second round
Al Ahly v Monterrey – February 5 at Al Nahyan Stadium
Al Hilal v Winners Match 1 – February 6 – Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium
Semi-finals
Palmeiras v Winners Match 2 – February 8 with venue at the Al Nahyan Stadium
Winners Match 3 v Chelsea – February 9 at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium
Al Nahyan Stadium will host the third place match on February 9 while the final will follow immediately at the same venue.
