FIFA inform Real Madrid to leave February 1-11 free for Club World Cup
The club are facing a demanding month of February (2023) with the first leg of the Champions League against Liverpool (February 21) with Infantino expected to confirm details this Friday.
FIFA has notified Real Madrid to reserve the dates of February 1-11 for the 2022 Club World Cup which is set to be played in the United Arab Emirates capital, Abu Dhabi. FIFA head Gianni Infantino is expected to confirm all details relating to the competition on Friday at the FIFA Executive Committee meeting in Doha.
Due to the staging of the Qatar World Cup, the 2022 Club World Cup will now be staged in early 2023 and will contested by the champions of each of FIFA’s six continental confederations and a representative of the host country. With their Champions League win over Liverpool in Paris last May, Real Madrid will represent UEFA, the Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo are the CONMEBOL representatives, Seattle Sounders (CONCACAF) and Wydad Casablanca of Morocco (CAF) have already qualified for this edition along with Auckland (Oceania). A representative of the host nation (probably Al-Ain) and AFC champion will also participate in the competition.
Gulf double for Ancelotti
Real Madrid face Liverpool in the Champions League Round of 16 with the first leg schedule for 21 February (Anfield) and the second leg going ahead on 15 March 15 at the Santiago Bernabéu. The CWC will represent ‘Los Blancos’ second trip to the Gulf in the space of two months as they will play the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. Ancelotti’s men will play against Valencia in the first semifinal of the tournament on 11 January 11 with the winner facing the winner of the other Barcelona-Betis game with the final of the Super Cup being played on 15 January at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh.