FIFA Club World Cup to be held in Qatar in February 2021

The 2020 Club World Cup is set to be held in Qatar from 1-11 February next year. 

The 2022 World Cup hosts are set to host the world’s continental club championship for the second time running, after hosting the 2019 edition which was won by Liverpool. 

The upcoming edition was originally scheduled to take place in December 2020 but has been delayed till February 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has impacted sporting calendars throughout the globe. 

“The FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020, which was originally scheduled for December, has been subject to the disruptive effect of the pandemic on the confederations’ continental club championships that serve as a pathway for the event,” FIFA stated in a release. 

Two clubs have already qualified for the tournament. European champions Bayern Munich will be joined by Qatar Stars League winners Al Duhail who are the host nation’s representatives. Champions of continental club championships from CONCACAF (North and Central America), CONMEBOL (South America), AFC (Asia), OFC (Oceania) and CAF (Africa) will also qualify for the tournament. The respective continental competitions are expected to be completed in the next three months. 

It must noted that Qatar have already proved their mettle in organising high-profile tournaments during the pandemic, having hosted 39 West Zone matches in the 2020 AFC Champions League. They are also set to play hosts to 44 East Zone matches in November and December apart from the final. 

A bio-secure bubble and stringent testing protocols were implemented while hosting the tournament. Qatar have also restarted their domestic league and a limited number of fans are being allowed to attend the games after following social distancing measures. 

Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Thani, President, Qatar Football Association, said: “We are incredibly excited to be hosting the FIFA Club World Cup for the second time. It is our mission to build on the successful 2019 tournament, which attracted thousands of fans from all over the world.”

H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, said: “Hosting the FIFA Club World Cup for a second time represents another vital learning opportunity for our country as we edge ever nearer to hosting the FIFA World Cup. We will be working closely with our stakeholders to provide an exceptional experience for fans, players and officials, while fine-tuning our plans for 2022.”

Nasser Al Khater, CEO, FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020 Local Organising Committee, said: “It is our goal to host matches during the FIFA Club World Cup with as many fans as possibleand build on the success of 2019 to deliver an even bettergreater experience for everyone involved. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and ensure our preparations prioritise the health and safety of everyone involved in the tournament.”