2019 FIFA Club World Cup: Tournament News & Qualifiers [R]

Yep, I anticipate some engineering for the inaugural expanded edition. Maybe UCL and EL winner and then the UEFA club ranking to catch as many "big boys" as possible.

 

UEFA: Liverpool Football Club (England)
CONMEBOL: TBD (Nov 23)
CONCACAF: Club de Fútbol Monterrey (Mexico)
AFC: TBD (Nov 24)
CAF: Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia)
OFC: Hienghène Sport (New Caledonia)
Host: Al Sadd Sports Club (Qatar)

@Paul Calixte - can you please edit the opening post of the thread for host information

 

I forgot to mention that Al Sadd's host occupation (or qualification) is not guaranteed yet. There are two Qatari clubs left in the AFC CL - Al Sadd and Al Duhail. An Asian victory by either of them changes the qualifying formula for the host spot. Al Sadd guarantee themselves qualification (as either host or Asian champions) by beating domestic rivals Al Duhail in the R16.

In fact, this summer will have continuous international club football without break:

- June: AFC CL Round-of-16 series in the East.
- July: Libertadores Round-of-16 series.
- August: AFC CL Round-of-16 series in the West. Libertadores quarterfinals.

 

What a mess...

CAF are definitely the most dysfunctional confederation right now. The "C" stands for Chaos. Neutral venue - eh? Is the Bernabeu available?

Or given the demographics involved, the Parc de Princes?

 

Osasu Obayiuwana: CAF’s Champions League blunder reflects deeply fractured leadership:
http://www.insideworldfootball.com/...blunder-reflects-deeply-fractured-leadership/

Interesting piece. So basically CAF ExCo members are hoping CAS takes the decision for them.

Good thing they have several months to figure it out and the final wasn't played in its previous November slot.

 

Not directly relevant, but nevertheless interesting.

AIFF set to offer top status to Indian Super League

Looks like the chaos of Indian club football is about to come to an end. At least a year too late. And with the expected outcome.

 

In the East of the AFC the quarter-finalists have been determined:

Guangzhou Evergrande (China)
Shanghai SIPG (China)
Kashima Antlers (Japan)
Urawa Reds (Japan)

Both Korean Hyundai teams are out.

 

Shanghai SIPG bolster their attack after acquiring Marko Arnautovic from West Ham.

And the decision? The status quo.

Rumor has it the ACL spot may be given to the ISL however.

 

Esperance remain champions (CAS sent the decision back to CAF):
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49273022

 

The above is now completed. The Libertadores quarterfinals are:

River Plate (ARG) - Cerro Porteno (PAR)
LDU Quito (ECU) - Boca Juniors (ARG)
Gremio (BRA) - Palmeiras (BRA)
Flamengo (BRA) - Internacional (BRA)

We could have Buenos Aires and Porto Alegre derbies in the semis!

In Asia the quarterfinal line-up is the following:

East:
Shanghai SIPG (CHN) - Urawa Reds (JPN)
Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN) - Kashima Antlers (JPN)

West:
Al Nassr (KSA) - Al Sadd (QAT)
Al Ittihad (KSA) - Al Hilal (KSA)

Al Sadd secured themselves participation, either as host or ACL winner. It's been a very strong year for the Saudi clubs in the West.

FIFA have yet to update their CWC page, announce the stadiums and reveal the competition logo. I guess it will be all revealed by the time the draw happens on Sep 16. Talk about a competition thrown together at nearly the last minute.

 

Conmebol repeats high ticket price policy for Copa Libertadores final in Chile:
http://www.insideworldfootball.com/...t-price-policy-copa-libertadores-final-chile/

 

Libertadores, Quarterfinals - First Leg:

River Plate (ARG) - Cerro Porteno (PAR) 2:0
LDU Quito (ECU) - Boca Juniors (ARG) 0:3
Gremio (BRA) - Palmeiras (BRA) 0:1
Flamengo (BRA) - Internacional (BRA) 2:0



The Buenos Aires derby is fully on track. The Porto Alegre one not so much. How will the authorities deal with Boca-River in the semis after last year?