Japan to host FIFA Club World Cup in 2021

Japan will host the Club World Cup in its existing format in late 2021, FIFA president announced on Friday.

Iran Press/Asia: "Due to the Covid-19 situation, which has led to the postponement of the revamped new Club World Cup...we've decided to organize a Club World Cup in the current format again in 2021 in December and we awarded the hosting rights to Japan," Gianni Infantino said following a FIFA Council meeting on Friday.

It means there will be two Club World Cups in the same year, with Qatar hosting the 2020 edition between February 1 and 11 before another seven-team edition goes ahead in Japan in December.

Japan has hosted the Club World Cup eight times before, most recently in 2016.

A lucrative, revamped 24-team Club World Cup, including eight sides from Europe, was due to be played in China next year, but the expanded competition will not now start until a later date after the delayed Euro 2020 and the Copa America were penciled in for next June and July.

101/216

Read more:

FIFA, AFC agree to postpone Asian World Cup qualifiers