The 18th edition of the FIFA World Club Cup will begin in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi on February third and will last until the 12th of the same month.

The tournament will feature seven teams including three from the Arab world; Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, Egypt?’s Al-Ahly, and hosts Al-Jazira from the UAE.

Brazil?’s Palmeiras, England?’s Chelsea, Mexico?’s Monterrey, Tahiti?’s AS Pirae are also competing in the knockout-style tournament.

Palmerias and Chelsea have already been placed in the semifinal stage of the tournament according to the draw and there are awaiting the results of the matches between first and second rounds of the competition featuring the rest of the ensemble.

The tournament will feature a third-place match for teams losing in the semifinals and another match deciding the fifth place for losing teams in the quarter finals.

Due to a FIFA announcement last November, the UAE stepped up to replace Japan as host of the tournament after the latter declined due to COVID-19 restrictions. This is the fifth edition of the tournament hosted by the Emirates after organizing the event on 2009, 2010, 2017, 2018, 2021.

The World Club Cup pits winners of each continent top tournaments?’ winners to determine who is truly the best in the world.

The tournament was held since 2000, took a hiatus between 2001-2004, returning in 2005 and onwards.

Spain Real Madrid won the tournament on four occasions, followed by Barcelona with three, Brazil?’s Corinthians and Germany?’s Bayern Munich with two each.

England?’s Liverpool and Manchester United, Italy?’s Internazionale and Milan, Brazil?’s Internacional, Sao Paulo, and Vasco Da Gama each won the tournament once.

The tournament?’s top scorer is Portugal?’s Cristiano Ronaldo with seven goals while Egypt?’s Al-Ahly had made 15 match appearances in the tournament so far.

The champions will be given around USD five million while the second and third place winners will earn USD four and 2.5 million respectively

Source: Kuwait News Agency