90min

Real Madrid learn dates for delayed 2022 FIFA Club World Cup

By Finley Crebolder

Real Madrid have won it more than any other club
Real Madrid have won it more than any other club / Soccrates Images/GettyImages
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Real Madrid have finally been informed by FIFA that the delayed 2022 Club World Cup will take place early next year - in February 2023.

The competition, which sees the winners of each continental confederation's Champions League tournament go up against one another, traditionally takes place in December.

However, that wasn't possible this time due to the fact that the main World Cup for national teams has taken place in November and December rather than in the summer.

As a result, the Club World Cup was moved to the start of 2023, and Real Madrid have now been informed of the specific dates.

According to AS, it will be held from February 1 to February 11 and will most likely take place in Abu Dhabi rather than Qatar and Morocco, with the two latter also bidding to host. Abu Dhabi has previously hosted games in 2009, 2010, 2017, 2018 and 2021, with Qatar the hosts in 2019 and 2020, while Morocco previously did the honours in 2013 and 2014.

Real Madrid most likely won't be too pleased with this scheduling given that the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie with Liverpool takes place on 21 February.

What also isn't ideal for the Spanish club is the fact that they'll have to travel long distances twice in the first two months of 2023 with the Spanish Super Cup taking place in Saudi Arabia in January.

They will compete against Barcelona, Valencia and Real Betis for that trophy.

Meanwhile, in the Club World Cup, Flamengo have qualified to represent South America after winning the 2022 Copa Libertadores, with Morocco's Wydad in for Africa, Seattle Sounders from North America and Auckland City from Oceania. There is not yet a 2022 Champions League winner from Asia, while the unconfirmed host nation's domestic champions also get entry into the tournament.

Harry Symeou hosts Andy Headspeath, Quentin Gesp and Jack Gallagher to look back on the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia - join us!

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