The FIFA Club World Cup is on after a long period of difficulty finding a country to host the tournament, with the United Arab Emirates now set to undertake hosting duties. With the newest edition set for the dates of February 3rd through the 12th, the conditions are already unfavorable to Africa’s representative, 2020-21 CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly of Egypt. Ahly have already protested the decision to start the tournament on February 3 due to the Africa Cup of Nations not concluding until February 6, where multiple Ahly players will be competing until perhaps the AFCON’s final stages.
Al Ahly will face CONCACAF Champions League winners CF Monterrey of Mexico in the second round of the tournament, with the winner of the matchup advancing to face South American champions Palmeiras of Brazil.
