Club World Championship

FIFA Club World Cup. The FIFA Club World Championship supercedes the annual World Club Championship (Toyota Cup) between the champions of Europe and South America.

The sixth edition of the Club World Championship will be held in Abu Dhabi in the UAE in December 2009 and is known as the FIFA Club World Championship TOYOTA CUP. In the Club World Championship 2008 Manchester United defeated Quito 1-0 in the final in Japan.

The 2009 tournament will run from December 9-19 2009.

Club champions from Europe (Champions League winners), South America (Libertadores Cup winners), Oceania (OFC Club Championship winners), Asia (Asian Champions League winners), Africa (CAF Champions League winners) and Central and North America (CONCACAF Champions Cup winners) will compete along with Al Ahli FC representing the host nation.

The tournament will remain in the UAE for the 2010 competition, returning to Japan for 2011 and 2012.

Teams

FC Barcelona (Spain; Europe/UEFA)
Estudiantes (Argentina; South America/CONMEBOL)
Atlante (Mexico; CONCACAF)
Auckland City (New Zealand; Oceania)
Pohang Steelers (South Korea; Asia/AFC)
Al Ahli (UAE; Asia/AFC)
Tout-Puissant Mazembe Englebert (Congo; Africa/CAF).

Match Schedule

FIFA Club World Championship TOYOTA CUP 2008 tournament schedule
Play Off Match
Match	Date	KO	Teams	Venue
1	Wed 9 Dec	20:00	Al Ahli FC 0 v Auckland City FC 2	Abu Dhabi
Quarterfinals
2	Fri 11 Dec	20:00	TP Mazembe 1 v Pohang Steelers FC 2	Abu Dhabi
3	Sat 12 Dec	20:00	Auckland City FC 0 v Atlante FC 3	Abu Dhabi

Semifinals
	Date	KO	Teams	Venue
4	Tues 15 Dec	20:00	Pohang Steelers FC 1 v Estudiantes de La Plata 2	Abu Dhabi
5	Wed 16 Dec	20:00	Atlante FC 1 v FC Barcelona 3	Abu Dhabi

Fifth Place Play-Off
	Date	KO	Teams	Venue
6	Wed 16 Dec	17:00	TP Mazembe 2 v Auckland City FC 3	Abu Dhabi

Third Place Play-Off
	Date	KO	Teams	Venue
7	Sat 19 Dec	17:00	Pohang Steelers 1 FC v Atlante FC 1 (Pohang win 4:3 on pens)	Abu Dhabi

Final
	Date	KO	Teams	Venue
8	Sat 19 Dec	20:00	Estudiantes de La Plata 1 v FC Barcelona 2 (aet)	Abu Dhabi

Stadiums

The matches will be played at the 42,056-capacity Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium and the 45,000-capacity Zayed Sports City both in Abu Dhabi.

Predictions

Barcelona, who outplayed current World Club Cup holders Manchester United in the 2008 Champions League final start as favorites. A team with the talents of Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Thierry Henry should lift the trophy. The same was thought in 2006 when a team containing Ronaldinho was shocked in the final by Internacional, with a goal from Adriano.

2009 Copa Libertadores holders Estudiantes may be the underdogs as they attempt to prevent Barcelona from claiming an unprecedented quadruple of trophies, but the team from La Plata have two excellent forwards in Mauro Boselli and Jose Luis Calderon, a solid defence and the magic of Juan Sebastian Veron in midfield. Coach Alex Sabella had a successful career as a player with River Plate, Sheffield United and Leeds United.

Pohang Steelers defeated Saudi giants Al-Ittihad 2-1 in the final of the 2009 Asian Champions League in Tokyo to reach their first World Club Cup. Brazilian coach Sergio Farias has created an attacking and pacy outfit, that will be no push-overs.

Flying the flag for Oceania and Kiwi soccer are Auckland City, a powerhouse in New Zealand's domestic game. With the national team having qualified for the 2010 World Cup, New Zealand football is very much on the up.

Mexican side Atlante from Cancun are making their first appearance at the Club World Cup. Known as "Los Potros de Hierro" (The Iron Colts) Atlante have lifted the Mexican league trophy three times in their history.

TP Mazembe Englebert from Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo were an African powerhouse in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Founded by Benedictine monks back in 1939, French coach Diego Garzitto has certasinly worked miracles to return the club to its former glories.

Home side Al Ahli, named after Al Ahly from Cairo, are based in nearby Dubai. Brazilian forward Bare, who spent time in the Japanese J-League, will be a threat up front.