Due to the mandatory quarantine imposed by the New Zealand authorities, Auckland City will not participate in the next edition of the Club World Cup
FIFA announced on Friday that Auckland City had informed him that it would not be able to attend the next edition of the Club World Cup due to the coronavirus pandemic and the mandatory quarantine set by the New Zealand authorities.
In a statement, FIFA explained that in recent days it has been in constant contact with the club, the New Zealand Football Federation and the Oceania Confederation (OFC) and that “however, the measures set by the New Zealand authorities – isolation and quarantine – prevails over the relevant FIFA provisions, so it was impossible to find a satisfactory solution. “
The FIFA Club World Cup 2020 will be played on February 1-11 in Qatar and after the withdrawal of Auckland, the tournament will no longer have the first round, so the local Al Duhail will have its premiere in the second.
Apart from this change, the format of the competition remains unchanged, said FIFA, which will hold the draw for mating on January 19 in Zurich.
Together with Qatari club Al Duhail SC, Al Ahly SC (CAF), Bayern Munich (UEFA), Ulsan Hyundai FC (AFC), Mexico Tigres UANL (CONCACAF) and CONMEBOL Libertadores champion will participate., whose final will take place on January 30 between the Brazilians Palmeiras and Santos.
FIFA announced that “in collaboration with the Qatari authorities, it will implement a comprehensive health protocol and security to ensure the health and safety of each of the people involved in this tournament. “