FIFA has confirmed the dates for the penultimate edition of the Club World Cup in its current format, which will feature seven teams. The tournament will kick off in Qatar on December 11, with the final taking place 10 days later.
As part of the revamp, FIFA had announced that the tournament would feature 24 teams from 2021. However, Qatar will host the final two editions in the old style as test events for the World Cup, which the Gulf state will host in 2022.
Three teams have been confirmed for this year's tournament: European champions Liverpool, CONCACAF champions CF Monterrey, and Oceania's Hienghene Sport. The club representing hosts Qatar will depend on the outcome of the AFC Champions League.
According to FIFA, if a team from Qatar wins the AFC Champions League, they will qualify directly for the second round, with the runners-up playing the opening match against Hienghene Sport on December 11. If the AFC Champions League winners are not a club from Qatar, the current holders of the Qatar Stars League title, Al Sadd SC, will play the opening match against Hienghene Sport.
Participating teams from Africa, Asia, and South America will be determined in the coming months. The draw for second-round and semi-final matches will take place at FIFA's headquarters in Zurich on September 16.
Liverpool will enter the competition in the semi-final stage and take on a second-round winner on December 18.
