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Can Chelsea win the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time?

Chelsea Champions League win May21

Andy Schooler has everything you need to know ahead of Chelsea's semi-final clash with Al Hilal in the 18th edition of the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi.

European champions Chelsea will look to add another trophy to their cabinet by winning the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time.

Thomas Tuchel's men have travelled to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates for the 18th edition of the tournament which comes to a conclusion this weekend.

The Blues had a bye to the semi-finals so play their first match on Wednesday afternoon against Al Hilal Riyadh.

As a result of their involvement, Chelsea have had to rearrange two Premier League games - away to Brighton and at home to Arsenal.

So, who will Chelsea have to beat in order to claim the coveted title of world club champions? Let's take a look…

Semi-final opponents - Al-Hilal

The Saudi Arabians are the reigning Asian champions, having won the AFC Champions League by beating Korea's Pohang Steelers 2-0 in November's final.

In their squad, the Riyadh-based club boast some familiar names.

They have just signed Nigerian Odion Igahlo, who was on loan at Manchester United as recently as last season (and enjoyed a successful spell at Watford before that), while fellow forward Moussa Marega has been a Champions League regular with Porto in the past.

In addition, Peruvian Andre Carillo and Colombian Gustavo Cuellar both represented their countries at last summer's Copa America, and former West Brom midfielder Matheus Pereira provides the guile in the middle of the park.

However, Al-Hilal beat Al-Jazira 6-1 in the second round on Sunday, with Ighalo, Marega, Pereira and Carrillo all on target.

Final opponents - Palmeiras

Twelve of the previous 17 finals have featured teams only from Europe and/or South America and the most likely outcome of this edition is a Chelsea vs Palmeiras final.
The Brazilians became the first back-to-back winners of the Copa Libertadores in 20 years in November when they beat Flamengo 2-1 after extra time.
The winning goal was scored by Deyverson after a calamitous error by Andreas Perreira, on loan from Manchester United.
Livewire forward Rony is one to watch, while goalkeeper Weverton was one of few home-based players to feature in Brazil's most-recent squad. He is the current third choice for the national team behind Liverpool star Alisson and Manchester City's Ederson.
Palmeiras booked their place in Saturday's final with a 2-0 win over Al Ahly on Tuesday, with Brazilian's Raphael Vega and Dudu on the scoresheet.

If it all goes wrong for Chelsea in the semi-final, then they'll meet Egyptian side Al Ahly in the third place play-off.

The African champions are the current club of former Brighton forward Percy Tau.

Where is the FIFA Club World Cup being played?

The tournament is being staged at two venues in the United Arab Emirates.

Both Chelsea's semi-final and the final will be held at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, which holds just under 40,000.

The stadium carries the name of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose brother, Mansour, is the man behind the City Football Group which owns Manchester City.

It is the fifth time that the UAE has played host to the tournament, having also done so in 2009, 2010, 2017 and 2018.
Japan had originally been chosen to host this event at the back end of 2021 but later withdrew following a rise in Covid-19 infections.

Tournament history

Chelsea's only previous appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup came in 2012 when they lost 1-0 to Brazilian giants Corinthians in the final.
Liverpool and Manchester United are the two previous English champions, winning in 2019 and 2008 respectively.
United famously took part in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2000, causing controversy by pulling out of the FA Cup in order to compete in Brazil.
Real Madrid have won the trophy more than any other side - four times in total - while Bayern Munich are the current holders.

Future tournaments

FIFA has plans to expand its Club World Cup to a 24-team event to be played every four years.
It would guarantee entry to the UEFA Champions League winners and Copa Libertadores champions in each of the four years in between.
The expansion was originally planned to happen in 2021 with the event to be staged in China over three weeks in June and July. However, the rearrangement of Euro 2020 and Copa America saw that idea scrapped.
FIFA is yet to announce when the first revamped competition will take place.

FIFA Club World Cup fixtures and results in full

First round

Al-Jazira 4 - 1 AS Pirae

Second round

Al-Ahly 1 - 0 Monterrey

Al-Hilal 6 - 1 Al-Jazira

Semi-finals

Palmeiras 2 - 0 Al-Ahly

Feb 9, 16:30 GMT - Al-Hilal vs Chelsea

Fifth-place play-off

Feb 9, 13:30 GMT  - Monterrey vs Al-Jazira

Third-place play-off

Feb 12, 13:00 GMT - Al Hilal/Cheslea vs Al Ahly

Final

Feb 12, 16:30 GMT - Al Hilal/Chelsea v Palmerias

How to watch the FIFA Club World Cup on TV

Channel 4 has announced it has struck a deal to show Chelsea's matches at the tournament.
The Blues' semi-final will be televised live on the company's E4 channel on February 9 and, if they progress, the final will be shown live on Channel 4 three days later.
That match would break the famous Saturday afternoon 'black-out' of football on TV in the UK, although it is allowed as FIFA tournaments are exempt.
If Chelsea feature in the third-place play-off, that match, also scheduled for February 12, will be screened on E4.

READ MORE: The Analyst: Where have all the Premier League’s Scottish goalscorers gone?

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