The FIFA Club World Cup is a competition where the champions from all continental tournaments, including the UEFA Champions League, gather and battle for the title of the genuine world’s No. 1 club.
　Seven teams ? six continental champions and a team from the host country ? participate in the tournament. The European champions Chelsea FC (England) are seen as favourites, having beaten giants such as FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munchen to claim the European Cup last season for the first time in their history. They boast a talented squad which includes Spain international forward Fernando Torres and midfielder Juan Mata as well as Brazil’s No. 10 Oscar.

　The South American champions Corinthians (Brazil) are also considered title contenders. In a team with a Europe-like organized defence and a counter attacking style, experienced veterans midfielder Danilo and forward Emerson play seasoned football while performance by players rumoured to be leaving for Europe, such as Paulinho, cannot be missed.

　The African champions Al-Ahyl SC (Egypt) and Oceania champions Auckland City FC (New Zealand) feature for a fourth time, the competition’s tie record, and the representatives from the North and Central American and Caribbean region CF Monterrey (Mexico) compete two years in a row. These clubs cannot be taken lightly as they know well about this tournament and are determined to show their aggressive but technical football. For the Asian champions Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea) and the host country club Sanfrecce Hiroshima, this will be a big occasion to play serious matches against big clubs.

by Toshiaki Ikeda