Find out the date and details of the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup.
When and where is the 2019 Club World Cup being played?
FIFA awarded Qatar hosting rights for the next two editions of the Club World Cup for 2019 and 2020. Matches will be played between from Dec. 11 through to the final on Dec. 21.
Who is in the Club World Cup?
It features the continental champions of Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, North America, and Oceania, plus the Al Sadd, champions of the Qatar Stars League to represent the hosts.
The qualifiers are:
Europe: Liverpool (England), UEFA Champions League winners
South America: Flamengo (Brazil), CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores winners
Africa: Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia), CAF Champions League winners
North America: Monterrey (Mexico), CONCACAF Champions League winners
Oceania: Hienghene Sport (New Caledonia), OFC Champions League winners
Asia: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), AFC Champions League winners
Host team: Al Sadd (Winners of Qatar Stars League)
What is the format of the Club World Cup?
First round (Dec. 11): Al Sadd beat Hienghene Sport 3-1 after extra time.
Second round (Dec. 14): Monterrey beat Al Sadd 3-2 and Al Hilal beat Esperance 1-0.
Fifth-place playoff (Dec, 17): Esperance beat Al Sadd 6-2.
Semifinals: Flamengo defeated Al Hilal 3-1, while in the second semi Liverpool beat Monterrey 2-1.
Third-place playoff (Dec. 21): Monterrey defeated Al Hilal on penalties 2-2 (4-3).
Final (Dec. 21): Liverpool beat Flamengo 2-1 after extra time.
But hasn't FIFA made the Club World Cup bigger?
Yes, FIFA has decided to make the Club World Cup a much larger tournament, featuring 24 teams, but this is not planned to happen until 2021. However, Europe's top clubs have threatened to boycott the expanded competition.
FIFA will approach potential hosts for the expanded edition of the club tournament before making a recommendation at the next council meeting in Shanghai on Oct. 23 and 24.
The Club World Cup will continue in its current format in 2019 and 2020.
What happened to Liverpool's domestic fixtures?
Liverpool took a break from their domestic Premier League and Carabao Cup games to travel for the Club World Cup.
Liverpool arranged their away game at West Ham United on Dec. 21 (the same date of the Club World Cup final) for Feb. 24. They return to Premier League action on Boxing Day, Dec. 26 -- when they are scheduled to play away to Leicester City.
The break didn't do Chelsea any harm in 2012-13. The beat Aston Villa 8-0 in their first match back in England.
Liverpool had an additional fixture nightmare after reaching the quarterfinals of the Carabao Cup, with their tie at Aston Villa played while they were in Qatar. They fielded a squad of made up of young players and reserves that lost 5-0.
Check out Liverpool's full fixture list.