FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP
Club World Cup 2022: schedules, teams, dates and games...
The FIFA Club World Cup is underway in the United Arab Emirates as seven sides look to lift the trophy on 12 February.
Local side Al Jazira got the FIFA Club World Cup under way with a 4-1 win over Tahitian side Pirae in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Hosts Al Jazira, who qualified by virtue of winning the UAE Pro League in 2020-21, were unsurprisingly a cut above their opponents, racing into a 3-0 lead by half-time.
Pirae – nominated for participation by OFC – did get on the scoresheet early in the second half thanks to an own goal, but Al Jazira finished them off just past the hour through the well-travelled Abdoulay Diaby.
Al Jazira will face Saudi Arabia's Asian champions Al Hilal in the second round, and the winner of that contest shall play European champions Chelsea in the second semi-final on 9 February.
Club World Cup: participating sides
OFC: AS Pirae (Tahiti)
AFC: Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
CAF: Al-Ahly (Egypt)
AFC (hosts): Al Jazira (UAE)
CONMEBOL: Palmeiras (Brazil)
UEFA: Chelsea (England)
CONCACAF: Monterrey (Mexico)
Club World Cup: fixtures
1st Round: 3 February: Al-Jazira 4-1 Pirae (match 1)
2nd Round: 5 February: Al-Ahly v Monterrey (11:30 am) match 2
2nd Round: 6 February: Al-Hilal v Al-Jazira (11:30 am) match 3
Semi-final 1: 8 February: Palmeiras v Winner match 2 (11:30 am) match 4
Semi-final 2: 9 February: Chelsea v Winner match 3 (11:30 am) match 6
5th place-game: Loser match 2 v loser match 3 (08:30 am) match 5
3rd place play-off: Loser match match 6 v loser match 4 (08:00 am) match 7
Final: winner match 6 v winner match 4 (11:30 am) match 8
* all times ET