ESPN will broadcast live and exclusive coverage of the FIFA Club World Cup 2011 in Japan as teams from each continent, including Europe’s FC Barcelona and South America’s Santos FC, compete for the title of FIFA Club World Cup 2011 Champions.
Teams competing in the FIFA Club World Cup 2011 presented by Toyota are
- FC Barcelona (UEFA),
- Santos FC (CONMEBOL),
- Al-Sadd Club (AFC),
- Esperance Sportive De Tunis (CAF),
- Club Football de Monterrey (CONCACAF),
- Auckland City FC (OFC) and
- a team (to be confirmed on 3 December) representing the host nation, Japan.
Current Copa Libertadores holders Santos will kick off the competition’s first semi-final, live on ESPN on Wednesday 14 December, as they take part in the tournament for the first time. The Brazilian side are set to feature one of the most sought-after players in world football, wonderkid Neymar, who has been linked with multi-million pound moves to FC Real Madrid and Chelsea FC.
The first three FIFA Club World Cups were won by Brazilian sides, but European teams have won the last four.
The second semi-final will see European Champions Barcelona take on either Tunisia’s Esperance Sportive De Tunis or Qatari club Al-Sadd.
Pep Guardiola’s men won the FIFA Club World Cup in 2009 and could become the first side to win it twice. Messi, Villa, Xavi, Iniesta and co, who are locked in a battle with FC Real Madrid for La Liga, will go into the tournament looking to secure their 13th trophy under Guardiola’s reign.
The third place playoff and the final will be live on ESPN on the morning of Sunday 18 December, direct from the International Stadium in Yokohama.
Line-up on ESPN:
- WEDNESDAY 14TH DECEMBER 2011 – SEMI-FINAL – SANTOS FC v TBC – LIVE @ 10:30AM
- THURSDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2011 – SEMI-FINAL – BARCELONA v TBC – LIVE @ 10:30AM
- SUNDAY 18TH DECEMBER 2011 – 3RD PLACE PLAYOFF – LIVE @ 7.30AM
- SUNDAY 18TH DECEMBER 2011 – FINAL – LIVE @ 10.30AM
