South Africa in the Running to Host FIFA Club World Cup

Some of the world’s top clubs are set for a trophy run on the African continent, with South Africa reportedly keen on hosting the FIFA Club World Cup in December.

The tournament was previously scheduled for Japan, but The Japanese Football Association (JFA) told FIFA it was “not in a position” to stage the event which was scheduled to run from 9 to 19 December 2021 due to COVID-19 concerns.

South African Football Association (SAFA) President Danny Jordaan this week sparked optimism among South African football fans at the prospect of seeing the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz in action on their home soil.

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With no fans currently allowed to return to stadiums due to COVID-19 restrictions, SAFA will be hoping that their bid to host the Club World Cup will be bolstered by the recent easing of restrictions.

Jordaan hosted Fifa’s secretary-general Fatma Samoura when she visited South Africa for a “fact finding mission” last week.

He said that she was impressed by the country’s recent successes in hosting major international football events, and said that he will continue the effort to convince her of SA’s ability to host the Club World Cup later this year when he sees her again later this week.

Chelsea are set to face Pitso Mosimane’s Al Ahly, as well as New Zealand’s Auckland City in the tournament with the remaining teams yet to be confirmed.

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  • Afua Hagan

    A TV news anchor, commentator, journalist and award-winning broadcaster. She is the Senior International Correspondent for News Central Africa. Afua is an excellent diversity and inclusion keynote speaker and moderator. In 2024 she delivered a hugely successful TEDx Talk on Diversity and Inclusion, titled “Too Dark for Daytime TV”. Afua is a brilliant keynote speaker covering issues such as diversity, Black Lives Matter and equality for women and continues to work as an event host and moderator.

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