Chelsea
have been drawn to face Auckland City, Al Jazira or Al Hilal in the
semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup.
The tournament takes place between February 3 and 12 next year in the United
Arab Emirates.
Thomas Tuchel's side will enter the competition at the last-four stage after
beating Premier League rivals Manchester City in last season's Champions
League final.
Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal will play the winner of the opening match
between hosts Al Jazira and New Zealand side Auckland, with the Blues
awaiting the victors of that subsequent second-round clash.
In the other side of the draw, Egyptian club Al Ahly will take on Mexican
side Monterrey for the chance to progress to a semi-final meeting with Copa
Libertadores winner Palmeiras.
Chelsea's only previous appearance in the competition came in 2012 when they
suffered a 1-0 final defeat to Brazilian club Corinthians.
Since then, the European club has won each edition, with Bundesliga
champions Bayern Munich the current holders.
The upcoming tournament was originally due to be held in Japan this winter
before being moved to the UAE due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
How will Club World Cup affect Chelsea's
Premier League schedule?
Chelsea's involvement in the Club World Cup will mean their Premier League
games with Brighton and Arsenal have to be rearranged.
The Blues were due to travel to Brighton on Tuesday, February 8 and then
host Arsenal on Saturday, February 12.
However, the Brighton game would have clashed with Chelsea's semi-final in
the Club World Cup and, with both the final and third-place play-off for
that competition taking place on February 12, the Blues will be otherwise
engaged for the original Arsenal date.
It is yet to be confirmed when those Brighton and Arsenal fixtures will be
moved to, but February will be a busy month for Chelsea.
They also have the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on the
midweek of either February 15-16 or February 22-23, and Premier League games
with Crystal Palace (February 19) and Leicester (February 26).
They could also be in FA Cup fourth round action on the weekend of February
5, before heading to the United Arab Emirates.
CLUB WORLD CUP DRAW
First round
Match 1: Al Jazira v Auckland City FC
Second round
Match 2: Al Ahly v Monterrey
Match 3: Al Hilal v Al Jazira/ Auckland City FC
Semi-final
Palmeiras v Match 2 winner
Match 3 winner v Chelsea
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