2018 FIFA Club World Cup
12-22 December
United Arab Emirates
Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium – Al Ain
Zayed Sports City Stadium – Abu Dhabi
Japanese side Kashima Antlers will head into the 2018 Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates looking to make a big impression.
The J1 League side earned their place in the competition by triumphing in the 2018 AFC (Asian) Champions League. They claimed their first continental title by defeating Iran’s Persepolis in the final last month.
Antlers, who are managed by Go Oiwa, will enter the competition in the second round, where they will come up against Guadalajara in Al Ain on December 15.
The Mexican side are the CONCACAF representatives after winning the North American Champions League, and they will pose a significant challenge for Kashima.
Should the Japanese side advance from their opening match, the prize will be a significant one: a semifinal against UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid in Abu Dhabi on December 19.
The other semifinal in Al Ain a day prior will see Argentina’s River Plate take on one of three clubs: local representatives Al Ain, New Zealand’s Team Wellington or African champions Esperance de Tunis.
2018 Club World Cup fixtures
Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain:
First round
Match 1 – 12 December – Al Ain v Team Wellington – 17h30 CAT
Second round
Match 2 – 15 December – Esperance de Tunis v Winner Match 1 – 18h30 CAT
Match 3 – 15 December – Kashima Antlers v Guadalajara – 15h00 CAT
Match for fifth place
Match 4 – 18 December – Loser Match 2 v Loser Match 3 – 15h30 CAT
Semifinal
Match 5 – 18 December – River Plate v Winner Match 2 – 18h30 CAT
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi:
Semifinal
Match 6 – 19 December – Winner Match 3 v Real Madrid – 18h30 CAT
Match for third place
Match 7 – 22 December – Loser Match 6 v Loser Match 5 – 15h30 CAT
Final
Match 8 – 22 December – Winner Match 6 v Winner Match 5 – 18h30 CAT
Club World Cup – past winners
2017 – Real Madrid
2016 – Real Madrid
2015 – Barcelona
2014 – Real Madrid
2013 – Bayern Munich
2012 – Corinthians
2011 – Barcelona
2010 – Internazionale
2009 – Barcelona
2008 – Manchester United
2007 – AC Milan
2006 – Internacional
2005 – Sao Paulo
2000 – Corinthians
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