Due to mandatory quarantine enacted by the New Zealand authorities, Auckland City will not participate in the next Club World Cup
The FIFA announced on Friday that Auckland City had informed him that due to the coronavirus pandemic and the mandatory quarantine imposed by the New Zealand authorities, he will not be able to participate in the next edition of the World Cup for clubs.
In a statement, FIFA explained that in recent days it has been in permanent contact with the club, the New Zealand Football Association and the Oceanic Confederation (OFC) and that “the measures adopted by the New Zealand authorities include Zeeland – isolation and quarantine – takes precedence over FIFA provisions on this issue, so it was impossible to find a satisfactory solution. “
The 2020 FIFA Club World Cup will be held from February 1 to 11 in Qatar and after Auckland City’s withdrawal, the tournament will no longer have a first round, so local Al Duhail will premiere in the second.
Apart from this change, the format of the league will remain unchanged, said FIFA, which will hold the draw for the pairs in Zurich on January 19.
Al Ahly SC (CAF), Bayern Munich (UEFA), Ulsan Hyundai FC (AFC), Mexican Tigres UANL (CONCACAF) and the CONMEBOL Libertadores champion will join the Qatari club Al Duhail SC., whose final will take place on January 30 between Brazilians Palmeiras and Santos.
FIFA announced that “it will implement a comprehensive health protocol in conjunction with Qatar authorities and safety to ensure the protection of the health and safety of each of the people involved in this tournament ”.