Club World Cup Postponed Till 2022 Due To COVID-19

UEFA Champions League winner, Chelsea will have to wait till 2022 to take part in the prestigious FIFA Club World Cup to complete a treble befitting for a European king.

The competition will no longer be held in Japan as a result of the country's battle with rising COVID-19 infections and with no alternative host selected, the Mirror report that FIFA are now set to postpone it.

Dates are yet to be confirmed and a final decision is expected to be made at FIFA's next council meeting on October 20.

The annual winter tournament, won by Liverpool in 2019, is scheduled as such that Chelsea were preparing to see a number of Premier League matches affected, something which may not be necessary.

Brazil and Qatar have been among the nations reported to be keen in taking the place of Japan.

The Club World Cup looks to crown the greatest club side in the world and is usually held in December.

Japan would have hosted the tournament for the first time for its centennial celebrations, but rising case numbers and the possibility of a limit on the number of spectators have now forced their hand.

A statement earlier this month from the Japanese FA read: 'The FIFA Club World Cup will not be held in Japan in December 2021 as a result of discussions between FIFA and the Japan Football Association (JFA) regarding the status of coronavirus infections and the current conditions for holding it.

'The FIFA Club World Cup was positioned as part of the JFA 100th Anniversary Commemorative Project, but at this point, it is difficult to predict the status of the coronavirus infections at the end of the year.

'There are various restrictions such as restrictions on the number of spectators. We have come to the conclusion that it is very difficult to hold the event in the midst of it.'