The FIFA Club World Cup began on Wednesday with Al-Jazira knocking out Auckland City 1-0 in the playoff game. FIFA’s unloved world championship for clubs resumes in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday with the quarterfinal round. That’s when CONCACAF’s representative makes their debut. Pachuca plays Wydad Casablanca in Abu Dhabi. UEFA and CONMEBOL’s representatives show up for the semifinals, with the winner of Pachuca vs Wydad Casablanca playing Gremio. Making it to the semifinals guarantees an extra game, with FIFA insisting on a 5th-place match.
If this sounds a little forced, that’s the Club World Cup problem. It answers an obvious question in a convoluted way. It would be nice to know who the world champion really is, but probably not months later in the middle of December. FIFA seems to have come to a similar conclusion. Reports that the Club World Cup might move to the summer and turn into a lengthier version of a World Cup for clubs certainly makes sense. Well, if you insist on imposing the World Cup format onto a club championship.
What it does in any version is put games on the schedule, some involving a marquee team or two. Real Madrid shows up in Abu Dhabi next week to play the winner of Al-Jazira vs Urawa Red Diamonds. Real Madrid could become the first team to win back-to-back Club World Cups and they would tie Barcelona’s three titles. If this meant as much as it should, it wouldn’t feel like this tournament is still an obligation rather than a reward.
ESPN FC’s Jeff Carlisle looks at Seb Giovinco’s play for Toronto this season. MLSsoccer.com’s Ari Liljenwall has Sounders forward Clint Dempsey looking forward to playing on Saturday. The Ringer’s Noah Davis on the celebrity ownership involved with Phoenix Rising SC.
The Guardian’s Jonathan Wilson with the Manchester derby asking an obvious question of United manager Jose Mourinho. AP’s Rob Harris reported in a tweet that Wembley stadium will stage the Euro 2020 games originally scheduled for Brussels.
VIDEO: Really enjoyed catching up with @ussoccer & @htafcdotcom midfielder Danny Williams today at the #HTAFC training ground. Wonderful character having a superb season in the @PremierLeague. 🔝🙌🇺🇸
Watch our chat with the #USMNT man here ➡️https://t.co/9tgmJVTxI4 pic.twitter.com/iFPONi43iO
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) December 7, 2017
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