The 2015 FIFA Club World Cup kicks off in Japan this week, with Spanish and European champions FC Barcelona looking to win the competition for a third time.
Here’s what you need to know about the tournament.
FIFA Club World Cup: Watch every game from the FIFA Club World Cup live on Sportsnet. To consult the broadcast schedule, CLICK HERE
WHAT IS THE FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP?
It’s an annual, seven-team tournament featuring the club champions of Europe, South America, Africa, Asia, North America and Oceania, plus the champions of the host country. Think of it as the Champions League of all the continental Champions League winners.
This year’s tournament takes place in Osaka and Yokohama, Japan from Dec. 10-20.
WHO’S IN THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENT?
The six Champions League winners are: FC Barcelona (Europe), River Plate (South America), Club America (CONCACAF), Auckland City (Oceania), Guangzhou Evergrande (Asia) and TP Mazembe (Africa).
Japanese league champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima are also in the tournament as the host team.
HOW DOES THE TOURNAMENT WORK?
Because there are seven teams, the FIFA Club World Cup features a unique format.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima will face Auckland City in the opening round, with the winner advancing to the second round where it will face TP Mazembe. The other second-round match sees Guangzhou Evergrande meet Club America.
As the top seeds, FC Barcelona and River Plate don’t enter the fray until the semifinals. Barca gets the Guangzhou Evergrande-Club America winner, while River Plate faces the winner of the other second-round match.
The two semifinal winners advance to the final. The semifinal losers will meet in the third-place game.
All games are single elimination.
HISTORY OF THE FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP
FIFA launched the tournament in 2000 when Brazilian club Corinthians won it on home soil.
The competition went on hiatus from 2000 and started up again in 2005 when it merged with the old Intercontinental Cup, a championship series dating back to 1960 that pitted the champions of Europe and South America against each other.
Other FIFA Club World Cup winners over the years include Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Inter Milan and AC Milan. Barcelona previously won it in 2009 and 2011.
Historically, the European and South American champions have met in the final. African side TP Mazembe lost to Inter Milan in the 2010 final. Two years ago, Moroccan side Raja Casablanca made it to the final, losing to Bayern Munich.
Real Madrid defeated San Lorenzo of Argentina in last year’s tournament final held in Morocco.
FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP ON SPORTSNET
Thursday, December 10, 2015
• 1st round: Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs. Auckland City, 5:30 a.m. ET (Sportsnet World)
Sunday, December 13, 2015
• 2nd round: Club America vs. Guangzhou Evergrande, 1:45 a.m. ET (Sportsnet World)
• 2nd round: TP Mazembe vs. Sanfrecce Hiroshima, 5:30 a.m. ET (Sportsnet World)
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
• 5th place match: Club America vs. TP Mazembe, 1:20 a.m. ET (Sportsnet World)
• Semifinal: Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs. River Plate, 5:30 a.m. ET (Sportsnet World)
Thursday, December 17, 2015
• Semifinal: Guangzhou Evergrande vs. FC Barcelona, 5:30 a.m. ET (Sportsnet World)
Sunday, December 20, 2015
• 3rd place: Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs. Guangzhou Evergrande , 1:45 a.m. ET (Sportsnet World)
• Final: River Plate vs. River Plate, 5:30 a.m. ET (Sportsnet World)