Abu Dhabi Looks Forward to FIFA Club World Cup

FIFA has announced the match schedule for the FIFA Club World Cup, to take place in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

The tournament, being held between 9th and 19th December, is being staged in an Arabian Gulf country for the first time. It will also mark only second time it is being hosted outside Japan â the 2000 tournament having taken place in Brazil.

The tournament, which involves the club champions of the various FIFA federations, will feature Spanish giants Barcelona (representing Europe); Argentina's Estudiantes (representing South America); Atlante of Mexico (represent Concacaf); Pohang Steelers from Asia; TP Mazembe from Africa and Auckland City, who will fly the Oceania flag at the event. The seven-team line-up is completed by are UAE champions Al Ahli, who qualified as representatives of the host nation.

Speaking of the event, FIFA Executive Committee member Chuck Blazer revealed that his final inspection of venues that will host the tournament more than exceeded expectations of football's world governing body, stating "we want to welcome the players, support teams and supporters of all seven clubs, many of whom should be visiting the Emirates for the first time.

"We are confident that all the work and preparation we had over the last 18 months should guarantee a memorable tournament for everyone to have fun.

"This is an important tournament for FIFA and it signals the best opportunity for clubs around the world to prove themselves."

The matches will be played in Abu Dhabi's biggest stadiums, the 50,000 capacity Zayed Sports City Stadium and the 42,000 capacity Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, both of which have undergone extensive refurbishment in preparation for the tournament.

Al Ahli get the tournament under way when they take on Auckland on 9th December. Mazembe and Pohang face each other in the second match on 11th December, while the winner of the Ahli/Auckland tie take on Atlante on 12th December.

The first semifinal will be played between Estudiantes and the winner of the Mazembe/Pohang tie on 15th December, Barcelona take on the winners of the match involving Atlante and either Al Ahli or Auckland in the second semi-final on 16th December. The final will be on Saturday 19th December.

The United Arab Emirates will also host the event in 2010.

Image: The FIFA Club World Cup. Credit: FIFA.