Due to the mandatory quarantine decreed by the New Zealand authorities, Auckland City will not participate in the next edition of the Club World Cup.
the FIFA has announced this Friday that Auckland City has informed him that he will not be able to take part in 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 Confederation of Oceania (OFC) and that “however, the measures established by the New Zealand authorities – isolation and quarantine – prevail over FIFA’s stipulations in the matter, so it has been impossible to find a satisfactory solution. “
The FIFA Club World Cup 2020 will be played from 1 to 11 February in Qatar and after the withdrawal of Auckland City the tournament will no longer have a first round, So the local A to Duhail will premiere in the second.
Apart from this change, the format of the competition remains unchanged, said FIFA, which will hold the draw for the pairings on 19 January in Zurich.
Along with Qatar club Al Duhail SC, Ahly SC (CAF), Bayern Munich (UEFA), Ulsan Hyundai FC (AFC), Mexican Tigers UANL (CONCACAF) and champion of the CONMEBOL Libertadores, The final will take place on January 30 between the Brazilians Palmeiras and Sants.
FIFA announced that “in collaboration with the Qatari authorities, it will implement a comprehensive health protocol and of security with which to guarantee the safeguard of the health and the hygiene of each and every one of the people involved in this tournament “.