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The draw for the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup delivered an exciting series of fixtures for the seven clubs who will compete for the title of club world champions in Morocco from February 1-11, 2023.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was present for the draw and addressed delegates before proceedings got under way. He thanked Morocco – hosts of the tournament for a third time – and stoked excitement as the countdown continues to discover which side will become champions of the world.
“Congratulations and thank you to Morocco for hosting the champions of all the continents for what will be a very important edition of the FIFA Club World Cup in February,” the FIFA President said.
“When the champions of all the continents meet to crown the champion of the planet, the champion of the world, this is a special occasion, and this will take place in a very special country, in a great football environment,” Mr Infantino added. “We’re looking very much forward to [coming] to Rabat and to Tangier, to visit an entire country, and to cheer for the champions of all the continents and see who finally will be crowned champion of the world.”
It was determined that the opening game would be between CAF Champions League runners-up (2021/22) Al Ahly and Auckland City FC, holders of the OFC Champions League; the winners of which will take on Seattle Sounders on February 4.
The host association representatives, Wydad, will meet Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia in the second round of the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup – Morocco, while four-time winners Real Madrid have a semifinal against Seattle Sounders, Al Ahly or Auckland City to navigate. On the other side of the draw, Flamengo’s last-four opponents will be Wydad or Al Hilal.
Also speaking at the draw, Fouzi Lekjaa, the Moroccan Football Association President, said, “This is also an opportunity to express the desire of our people and of our Kingdom to be among those willing to host football’s greatest events. We’ve always had this desire, and we will continue to express it with even more determination, enthusiasm, work and development. Long live football, long live FIFA, long live the Kingdom of Morocco.”
