FIFA announce they WILL play the Club World Cup this season

FIFA have confirmed that the Club World Cup will still go ahead this season, despite the immensely packed calendar and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Originally planned for December, the tournament will now be held from February 1 to February 11, 2021 in Qatar. 

The showpiece occasion brings together the six continental champions, but only two have so far booked their spots or Doha.

FIFA have confirmed that this season’s Club World Cup will go ahead in Qatar in February

Bayern Munich are one of only two sides whose participation has so far been confirmed

Continental club championships will, though, resume across the world and are set to be concluded by the end of January 2021.

Bayern Munich were the first to qualify after winning the Champions League in August, while Al-Duhail SC are also through as a seventh host, after clinching the Qatar Stars League in September. 

Last season’s tournament ended with Liverpool beating Brazilian club Flamengo in the final thanks to an extra-time winner from Roberto Firmino.

Roberto Firmino scored an extra-time winner for Liverpool in victory over Flamengo last year

FIFA did not state if supporters would be able to attend any of the games noting only that, ‘In line with FIFA’s International Match Protocol, FIFA and the host country will provide the required safeguards for the health and safety of all involved.’

A new expanded 24-team Club World Cup was due to be held in June-July 2021 in China but coronavirus-related delays to Euro 2020 and the Copa America, which will be held a year late, have led to the postponement of that plan.

FIFA also opted against moving two postponed women’s age-group tournaments to 2021 and instead will allow the planned hosts to hold those tournaments in 2022.

Costa Rica will host the FIFA Under 20 Women’s World Cup and India the FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup.