The schedule for the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup is reportedly starting to take shape. Although FIFA hopes to make an official announcement later this week, reports suggest certain dates. According to AS, the next tournament will be played from February 1 to 11. The Spanish outlet claims that the sport’s governing body informed Real Madrid of the calendar before the official launch.
The dates are not the only announcement of the tournament. In fact, reports surfaced that the FIFA Club World Cup schedule will take place in Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates was one of three possible hosts for the Club World Cup. Morocco and 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar were also in the running.
Abu Dhabi has also hosted Club World Cup tournaments in 2009, 2010, 2017, 2018 and 2021.
Sounders make history to qualify for tournament
Major League Soccer fans will have additional interest in the upcoming Club World Cup. Seattle Sounders qualified for the tournament after winning the CONCACAF Champions League in May. They were the first MLS team to win the modernized version of the competition.
Upon qualifying for the Club World Cup, Sounders general manager and president of soccer Garth Lagerwey couldn’t contain his excitement. “We are going to play against Real Madrid or Liverpool, man. In a real game,” Lagerwey proclaimed. “Not for giggles against your reservations, for a true trophy. Like, this is why you do it. It’s… it’s just amazing. This. I’d love to be really cool and calm, ‘ah, it’s not a big deal,’ but it’s a big deal.”
Full Club World Cup team schedule remains incomplete
The annual tournament features clubs that have won their confederation’s Champions League. Along with Real Madrid and Sounders, Flamengo, Auckland City, Wydad AC and the winner of the AFC Champions League will participate in the tournament in February. The AFC Champions League is currently in the knockout rounds.
Real Madrid, specifically, has some schedule headaches. The Spanish giants will face Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League on February 21. Real also have several La Liga matches scheduled during this time period.
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