- The representatives of Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) are set to make their historic debut in the competition
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – : Tahiti Ligue 1 champions A.S. Pirae have touched down in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ahead of their FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021™ debut that begins on Thursday 3 February.
A.S. Pirae arrived at Dubai International Airport from Faa’a International Airport in the French Polynesia at 23:20 GST on Sunday 30 January.
Head coach Naea Bennett and his team are taking part in the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time in their history as Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) representatives, joining continental club champions Monterrey (Concacaf), Chelsea (UEFA), Palmeiras (CONMEBOL), Al Hilal SFC (AFC), Al Ahly (CAF), as well as UAE champions, Al Jazira, in taking part in the tournament.
A.S. Pirae get their competition underway against Al Jazira in the tournament’s first round opener on 3 February (20:30 GST) at the host nation team’s home ground, the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
The winner of that match will take on Al Hilal in the second round on Sunday 6 February for the right to face Chelsea in the semi-finals three days later – a stage of the competition only once reached before by an OFC team (Auckland City in 2014).
The other half of the draw gets underway on Saturday 5 February as Al Ahly face Monterey at the Al-Nahyan Stadium, which also hosts the first semi-final on Tuesday 8 February in a contest that will feature the victor against Brazilian outfit Palmeiras.
The tournament concludes on Saturday 12 February, with the third-place playoff at the Al-Nahyan Stadium (17:00 GST) before the final gets underway at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium from 20:30 GST to crown the 18th FIFA Club World Cup champion.