Staff Reporter.
The 2021 Fifa Club World Cup could be held in South Africa in December.
This after Japan pulled out of hosting the prestigious global tournament due to concerns about the spread of Covid-19 in the Asian country.
“The Fifa Club World Cup will not be held in Japan in December 2021 as a result of discussions between the International Football Federation [ and the Japan Football Association] regarding the status of infection with the new coronavirus and the current conditions for holding it,” reads the statement by the Japanese federation.
South Africa is one of three countries that have been approached by the club competition organisers to consider hosting the cross-continental tournament.
Safa president Danny Jordaan said that the national football governing body was definitely interested in staging the event.
According to Jordaan, Egypt and Qatar are also in contention.
But he said he would get more details from Fifa’s secretary-general, Fatma Samoura, during his visit to Nigeria next week.
The Club World Cup is contested by the continental champions from Africa, Europe, Asia, North and South America, as well as Oceania, along with the host nation’s national champions.
European champions Chelsea have already qualified, alongside Pitso Mosimane’s Al Ahly of Egypt and New Zealand champions Auckland City. The remainder of the qualification slots are yet to be determined.
If Egypt were to get the nod to host the tournament, this would allow Kaizer Chiefs to feature in the event by virtue of being the CAF Champions League runners-up.
Chiefs lost 3-0 to Al Ahly in the final of the premier continental club competition in July.
“I will have a meeting with the Fifa secretary-general so that I know what the whole thing [of hosting the tournament] entails. But we are always ready to host,” said Jordaan.