- The CONMEBOL representatives are taking part in their second successive edition of the tournament and are looking to become the fifth Brazilian winners in history
- Club captain Gustavo Gómez: “I’m very happy to arrive in Abu Dhabi to participate once again in the FIFA Club World Cup. We want to put in strong performances and fight for the title”
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – : Brazilian side Palmeiras have landed in Abu Dhabi as they look to add the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021™ to their trophy cabinet alongside the 2021 Copa Libertadores title that earned them a spot in the competition.
Taking place in the UAE from 3-12 February, the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021™ is made up of six other teams alongside SE Palmeiras, who are joined by fellow continental champions Monterrey (Concacaf), Al Ahly (CAF), Chelsea (UEFA) and Al Hilal SFC (AFC), as well as Tahiti and UAE league champions A.S. Pirae and Al Jazira, respectively.
Palmeiras made their FIFA Club World Cup™ debut last year, finishing fourth after defeat to eventual winners Tigres in the semi-final and a penalty loss to Al Ahly in the third-place playoff.
Abel Ferreira’s men successfully defended their 2020 Copa Libertadores crown last year and the kings of South America will look to their regal frontline of Dudu, Rony and Raphael Veiga to fire them to glory.
Captain and star defender Gustavo Gómez is looking forward to leading out his team in the most prestigious honour in club football. “I’m very happy to arrive in Abu Dhabi to participate once again in the FIFA Club World Cup,” the 28-year-old said. “We have a great responsibility, especially as we will compete against the world’s biggest clubs. We are all hoping to have a great competition, especially on the back of our successful participation in last year’s edition. We want to put in strong performances and fight for the title.”
Palmeiras enter the competition at the semi-final stage, hoping to become the fifth FIFA Club World Cup™ winners from Brazil after Corinthians (2000, 2012), Sao Paulo (2005) and Internacional (2006).
The Sao Paulo outfit’s side of the draw gets underway on Saturday 5 February as Al Ahly face Monterey at the Al Nahyan Stadium, with Ferreira’s team taking on the winner in the first semi-final on Tuesday 8 February.
In the other half of the draw, the winner of Al Jazira vs. A.S. Pirae takes on 2021 AFC Champions League winners Al Hilal on Sunday 6 February for the chance to play Chelsea in the semi-finals three days later.
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.