Auckland City withdraw from Club World Cup
Auckland City FC have withdrawn from the FIFA Club World Cup. No other Oceania team take their place.
FIFA confirmed the news in a press release Friday.
“FIFA has today been informed by Auckland City FC that, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and related quarantine measures required by the New Zealand authorities, the club will be unable to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup 2020,” the statement read.
“Despite FIFA’s regular exchanges with the club, New Zealand Football and the OFC in recent days, the requirements of the New Zealand authorities in relation to isolation and quarantine go beyond FIFA’s remit and, therefore, it was not possible to reach a solution.”
Auckland City was chosen by the OFC to represent Oceania at the 2021 Club World Cup after the cancellation of the 2020 OFC Champions League.
FIFA confirms there will be no other Oceania representative at the tournament.
“Following the withdrawal of Auckland City, the FIFA Club World Cup 2020 will be contested by Al-Duhail SC, Al Ahly SC, FC Bayern Munich, Ulsan Hyundai FC, Tigres UANL and the winners of the CONMEBOL Libertadores final scheduled for 30 January. The first round match will no longer take place and Al Duhail SC will begin the competition in the second round. The competition format remains otherwise unchanged.”
