By Duncan Mackay
December 8 – Abu Dhabi organisers have been praised for their preparations for the FIFA Club World Cup, which opens tomorrow and which could be the launchpad for a bid for the 2026 World Cup.
The sixth edition of this tournament, won last year by Manchester United, kicks-off tomorrow at the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium when Oceania champions Auckland City play Al-Hahli, who are competing as representatives of the host nation.
It will be a play-off to see who has the right to face Mexico’s Atlante, the CONCACAF champions, in the quarter-finals.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s TP Mazembe and South Korea’s Pohang Steelers join proceedings on December 12 in their quarter-final match-up before the heavyweights, Estudiantes and Barcelona, enter the draw at the semi-final stage.
The final is due to take place on December 19.
Chuck Blazer, a member of FIFA’s Executive Committee, said that he was impressed by the organisation of the tournament.
He said: “It has been a tremendous effort by the LOC (Local Organising Committee) in bringing us to this point of the opening of the tournament.
“We are very satisfied and very much looking forward to the event.”
United Arabs Emirates FA President Mohammad Khalfan Al Rumaithi said: “Our country has been waiting with bated breath for the start of this event over the last few months.
“FIFA is very satisfied and we are pleased with their feedback.
“We have exceeded all expectations and the two venues are ready.
“Tickets for the two semi-finals and the finals are already sold out while the tickets for the other matches are moving briskly.
“We have planned a spectacular opening ceremony and we are ready to stage the world’s top club teams.”
European champions Barcelona, who include Lionel Messi (pictured), are the favourites but are expected to face a tough challenge from South American champions Estudiantes.
Al Rumaithi said: ”We expect nearly 3,000 fans from Argentina, while the other teams are also expected to draw huge support.
“We have over 200 nationalities living here in the UAE and many of them have their own clubs to support in this event.”
This event is the latest major sporting competition to be staged in Abu Dhabi, following the Formula One Grand Prix earlier this year.
The Abu Dhabi Government is currently in the middle of conducting a study on the economic impact on the emirate of hosting the Grand Prix but there is growing speculation that the UAE could be preparing for a bid to host the FIFA World Cup, providing Qatar is not successful with its campaign for 2022.
The UAE has already staged the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 2003 and Al Rumaithi believes that this latest tournament will take the region to an even greater audience.
He said: “It’s a moment where we will see the world focus on the region, the UAE and the capital, Abu Dhabi.
“That was the idea behind bringing this big tournament to Abu Dhabi and why we have worked so hard to present a good file to FIFA.”
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