Fans still have shot at Club World Cup tickets

Tickets for next month’s Fifa Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi — from December 6 to 16 — are still available and fans from around the world are being encouraged to purchase now to avoid disappointment.

The message, from the tournament’s Local Organising Committee (LOC), comes as the final line-up of teams is close to being confirmed with some of the most iconic club sides in world football either already qualified or in the final stages of their regional Champions League competitions.

Tickets are available for all of the first five matches, including the opening game between UAE Arabian Gulf League champions, Al Jazira, and OFC Champions League winners, Auckland City. The historic game will kick-off the tournament at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on December 6.

Real in the fray

Joining Al Jazira and Auckland will be the most decorated side in European football, 12-time Uefa Champions League winners Real Madrid and their superstarstrewn side, including recently-crowned Fifa Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real will join Concacaf Champions League winners Pachuca from Mexico, the fourth side to have already qualified, who are guaranteed to face an Arab side in this year’s tournament.

Around the world, the final stages of the Champions League competitions in the CAF (Africa), AFC (Asia) and Conmebol (South America) federations are taking place over the next month.

Some of the biggest club sides in the world are still hoping to seal their place in the UAE, including Al Ahly of Egypt, Saudi national champions Al Hilal, and Argentina’s River Plate.

Ahmad Al Qubaisi, LOC director of marketing and communications, said: “Ninety per cent of tickets to the semi-final and final are no longer available. The LOC are working with Fifa to confirm final allocations for the remaining 10 per cent. There may be a release of tickets for fans to purchase in the next few weeks.”