2018 Fifa Club World Cup: Real Madrid aim for global domination

The Spanish giants will defend their Club
World Cup title in the UAE in December

One-Minute Read

Following their victory in the Uefa Champions League final
against Liverpool last month, Real have qualified for this year’s
Fifa Club World Cup being held in United Arab Emirates.

The victory over Liverpool in Kiev was Zinedine Zidane’s
swansong as Real boss. After leading Los Blancos to a third
successive European title the Frenchman parted ways with the
Spanish giants.

Zidane’s replacement has yet to be announced, but according to
reports former player Guti and Chelsea’s
Antonio Conte are the two favourites to take over the Bernabéu
hot-seat.

Whether it’s Guti, Conte or someone else, Real Madrid’s
next manager will have the Club World Cup in their sights. That’s
the view of Ahmad Al Qubaisi, spokesperson for the Fifa Club World
Cup local organising committee in the UAE.

He believes Real’s next boss will look at the Club World
Cup as a perfect opportunity of securing silverware early in their
tenure. Speaking in London Al Qubaisi said: “The new coach of Real
Madrid will be so lucky, especially having a team that has won
three Champions Leagues in a row in Europe. Plus the chance to win
the Club World Cup this year.”

Three-time winners Real beat Brazilian side Gremio in last
year’s Club World Cup final. This year the Spaniards will feature
in the 12-22 December tournament alongside host team Al Ain,
Concacaf champions CD Guadalajara and Oceania champions Team
Wellington. The other three clubs – the Champions League winners
from the Conmebol, Asia and African confederations – will be
decided later this year.

Fifa plans Club World Cup revamp

Currently the Club World Cup is a seven-team tournament
featuring the regional champions from Fifa’s six confederations
plus the host team. However, in the future the competition could
look very different if Fifa gets its way.

In April The Guardian reported that world football’s
governing body is planning to revamp the competition and increase
the number of teams to 24. Then last month The Times reported that Fifa president Gianni
Infantino had delayed a vote on the proposals until after the World
Cup concludes in Russia. 

After hosting the Club World Cup in 2009, 2010, 2017 and
again in 2018, would the UAE bid for the bigger, revamped
competition if the changes are agreed by Fifa and its
confederations?

Al Qubaisi, who also works with the Abu Dhabi Sports
Council, said: “If we count in this segment [Fifa tournaments] the
UAE has been lucky to host five Fifa tournaments in the past ten
years. We had this tournament [the Club World Cup] in 2009, 2010,
last year and this year, and also hosted the 2013 Fifa Under-17
World Cup. We are planning to get the big events to the UAE –
especially the big fan-based tournaments.

“In January 2019 the UAE is hosting the Asian Cup which
has 24 [national] teams. Games will be held in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain,
Sharjah and Dubai. Sharjah has one stadium [hosting matches], Dubai
has two stadiums, Al Ain has two and Abu Dhabi will have three
stadiums for the Asian Cup

“The UAE is ready for any tournament.”

Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2018

What is the Fifa Club World Cup?

Organised by Fifa, the annual Club World Cup features one
host team and the regional champions from the football governing
body’s six confederations – Uefa (Europe); Confederation of North,
Central American and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf);
Oceania Football Confederation (OFC); South American Football
Confederation (Conmebol); Asian Football Confederation (AFC); and
Confederation of African Football (CAF).

When does it take place this year?

The 2018
Fifa Club World Cup will be held from 12-22 December. 

Who is the host nation?

The United Arab Emirates will host the tournament for the
second year in a row. 

Where will matches be played?

Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi and the Hazza Bin
Zayed Stadium in Al Ain will host the matches. Eight matches in
total will be played and Zayed Sports City will host the
final.

Which teams will play this year?

• Host team: Al Ain FC (UAE title winners) 
• CD Guadalajara (Mexico; Concacaf Champions
  League winners) 
• Team Wellington FC (New Zealand; OFC Champions
  League winners) 
• Real Madrid (Spain; Uefa Champions League
  winners) 
• Conmebol Copa Libertadores winners to be decided in
  November 
• AFC Champions League winners to be decided in
  November 
• CAF Champions League winners to be decided in November