ZURICH: Auckland City’s withdrawal from next month’s Club World Cup in Qatar has prompted world football federation FIFA to reorganise the tournament schedule.

It will now be staged at the Education City and Ahmad Bin Ali stadia with the Khalifa International venue being dropped.

Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium will stage the first match on February 4 and the FIFA Club World Cup champions will be crowned at Education City Stadium on February 11.

The tournament 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. Brazilian clubs Santos and Palmeiras contest the final in Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, on January 30.

The withdrawal of Auckland City means hosts representatives, Al-Duhail, go direct to the second round. The full draw will be held in Zurich tomorrow.

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