FIFA have confirmed that the 2020 Club World Cup will go ahead in Qatar, with fans also given the green light to attend.
Club World Cup Gets Green Light
Another Tournament of the Pandemic
Originally scheduled for December 2020, the competition was postponed to allow time for the AFC, CONMEBOL and CONCACAF champions to be decided, having been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
FIFA confirmed in December that the tournament had been rescheduled and would now take place between February 1 and 11 in Qatar.
OFC champions Auckland City withdrew from the competition after a disagreement with the New Zealand government over quarantine procedures. Their absence now means the tournament will include six teams instead of the previously planned seven.
How it Works
The tournament pits the winners from the continental competitions in Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania North and South America, along with the domestic champions from the host nation against each other in a knock-out style format.
As a result of Auckland City’s withdrawal hosts Al-Duhail of Qatar have been awarded a walkover to the quarter-finals.
Al-Duhail will face one of the Al Ahly (Africa), Ulsan Hyundai (Asia) or Tigres UANL (North America) in the tournament’s first round of fixtures.
Bayern Munich (Europe) and the winner of the Copa Libertadores final between Palmeiras and Santos (South America) on January 30, 2021, will enter at the semi-final stage.
The draw for the tournament will take place in Zurich on January 19, 2021, with the final being held at the Education City Stadium on February 11, 2021.
Fans Will Return for the Club World Cup
Ahead of the draw FIFA announced that only residents of Qatar and other approved Gulf nation states will be allowed to purchase tickets for the Club World Cup.
This move is in line with Qatari government regulations on who is approved entry to the country, in an attempt to curb COVID-19 infections.
Any supporters attending a fixture must present either a negative COVID-19 test, a positive COVID-19 antibody test or a full record on vaccination.
Masks must be worn by fans at all times during the match and in surrounding areas.
The restrictions could hint to what may be expected of supporters in attendance for this summer’s European Championships, should fans be permitted into stadiums.
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