Liverpool are set to play in a brand new 2022 World Cup venue when they take part in the Club World Cup in Qatar in December. Football’s world governing body FIFA has announced that the Reds will begin their campaign at the 40,000-capacity Education City Stadium in Doha in a semi-final on December 18.
Win or lose, they will play in the same venue which will host the third-place play-off and the final on December 21.
Jurgen Klopp’s Champions League winners could face local side Al Sadd, coached by former Barcelona playmaker Xavi, Hienghene Sport of New Caledonia or most likely Mexican side Monterrey in the semi-final.
Qatar is using the 2019 and 2020 Club World Cup tournaments as a testing ground for its hosting of the 2022 World Cup finals.
The Gulf state’s hosting of the ongoing World Athletics Championships has been criticised over the poor attendances at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha, with the venue largely empty on Sunday night as Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith won silver in the women’s 100 metres final.
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Liverpool will hope to add the Club World Cup title to their list of recent honours when they will represent Europe in the tournament after winning the Champions League in June. Klopp’s side, who are top of the Premier League table, have already picked up silverware this season by beating Europa League winners Chelsea on penalties to lift the Super Cup and they are likely to be favourites to come out on top overall in Qatar.
The Reds have never won the Club World Cup but did get to the final in 2005 only to lose 1-0 to Brazilian outfit Sao Paulo.
The two games in the competition in December mean the Premier League clash with West Ham at the London Stadium, which was set for December 21, will be rescheduled although no new date for the Hammers clash has yet been confirmed.
