World Cup: draw puts Al Ahly or Monterrey on Palmeiras' path

Palmeiras will face Monterrey (Mexico) or Al Ahly (Egypt) in the semifinals of the Club World Cup, which will be played between February 3rd and 12th of next year, in the United Arab Emirates. The Mexicans won the Confederation of Football Champions League of North America, Central and Caribbean (Concacaf), while the Egyptians lifted Africa's most important trophy of the season.

The draw was held this Monday (29), at the headquarters of the International Football Federation (Fifa), in Zurich (Switzerland). The dates, times and locations of the games will still be disclosed by the entity. Even though the tournament is in 2022, the winner will be considered the 2021 world champion.

🛣 The path to the #ClubWC 2021 trophy is set 🔒

🏆 Who will be hoisting the cup on 12 February? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/KZzTYoubyG

— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) November 29, 2021

Four more teams participate in the Worlds. Al Jazira, which represents the host country as national champion of 2021, opens the tournament against Auckland City (New Zealand), indicated by the Confederation of Football of Oceania (OFC, acronym in English), after the continental Champions League did not have been performed because of the new coronavirus pandemic (covid-19). The winner will face, in the quarter-finals, Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), who lifted the main cup in Asia. Whoever wins will face favorite Chelsea (England), European champions, in the semifinals.

Current champion of the Libertadores, Palmeiras disputes the Worlds for the third time, being the second since FIFA started to organize it. In its debut, in 1999, Verdão was overcome by Manchester United (England) by 1-0, in the decision in Tokyo (Japan). In February of this year, but for the 2020 edition of the tournament, held in Qatar, Alviverde fell in the semifinal to Tigres (Mexico), also defeated 1-0. In the duel for third place, the opponent was Al Ahly, who could again appear on the Paulista path. After the goalless draw in normal time, the Egyptians won on penalties.

Palmeiras seeks to become the seventh Brazilian team to take the world club title. São Paulo, with three victories (1992, 1993 and 2005), is the biggest winner, followed by Santos (1962 and 1963) and Corinthians (2000 and 2012). Flamengo (1981), Grêmio (1983) and Internacional (2006) also lifted the trophy.

Text translated using artificial intelligence.