The tournament kicks off with 2020 AFC Champions League winners Ulsan Hyundai FC facing CONCACAF Champions League winners Tigres UANL from Mexico.

Thursday's opening clash will be followed by CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly SC of Egypt playing Qatari champions Al Duhail SC. Ahead of the kick-off, join us as we take a look at some of the FIFA Club World Cup's interesting facts and stats

It is a swift return to Doha for Korea Republic side Ulsan Hyundai, who won the 2020 AFC Champions League title on December 19 at Al Janoub Stadium after defeating Islamic Republic of Iran's Persepolis 2-1 in the final.

Egyptian giants Al Ahly SC, meanwhile, qualified for the tournament after winning the CAF Champions League for a record ninth time thanks to a 2-1 victory over Zamalek SC.

Afif was only 23 when he ran out at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2011, having made a big contribution to Al Sadd’s second continental title, playing eight matches in their victorious AFC Champions League campaign.

Though he missed Al Sadd’s first two matches in the competition – a 2-1 win over Esperance Sportive de Tunis and a 4-0 semi-final defeat to Barcelona – he came on for the last 18 minutes of the match for third place against host team Kashiwa Reysol, a game Al Sadd won 5-3 on penalties.

DID YOU KNOW?

The FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020 will see 2020 AFC Champions League winners Ulsan Hyundai FC and tournament hosts Al Duhail SC competing with the world's best from February 1 to 11.

The draw takes place in Zurich on Tuesday at 16:00 CET (UTC+7).

We kick off the series with the United Arab Emirates, a country passionate for its football where several clubs compete season after season for top honours and, understandably, which can bring about bragging rights as well after downing a rival.

The opening matches are still more than two months away, but that won’t stop us from breaking down Wednesday's draw and examining what to expect from a mouth-watering selection of groups in the West Zone.

Join the-AFC.com as we look at what to expect, what to ponder and what to watch from the matches ahead.

In lieu of waiting until April’s kick-off, we are jumping straight into this year’s extended field, analysing the contenders, the challengers and the storylines ahead in the East Zone of Asia’s premier club football competition.

Join the-AFC.com as we look at what to expect, what to ask and what to watch in the matches ahead.