African Champions, Al-Ahly, begin World Club Championship campaign

Chelsea will represent Europe in the competition.

African Champions, Al-Ahly of Egypt, will commence their battle for global superiority on Sunday at the FIFA Club World Cup campaign taking place in Japan.

The Red Devils will make a fourth appearance at the tournament after winning the African Champions League last month, following a 3-2 aggregate victory over Tunisia’s Esperance.

“It’s a personal challenge for me and a challenge for Ahly. I came to Japan three times as the assistant coach, and I’m now in charge of the team. My aim is to safeguard Ally’s status in African and International football,” Hossam El-Badry, the Al Ahly coach, told a news conference in Japan on Tuesday.

“I’m dreaming of a new achievement. Al-Ahly always play to win trophies and my task as a coach is to maintain that,” he added

Al-Ahly will kick off their campaign against Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC of Japan who they will meet in the first-round game on Sunday, December 9.

If they win the match, they will play against Brazil’s Corinthians in the semi-final.

“We are now accustomed to the atmosphere in Japan, having played there three times before,” El-Badry added.

Chelsea, the European Champions will represent Europe in the competition which sees the defending champions in continental club competitions represent each continent.

The teams in the competition are Al-Ahly SC, Auckland City FC, CF Monterrey, Chelsea FC, Corinthians, Sanfrecce Hiroshima, and Ulsan Hyundai.

Chelsea will play their first match in the semi-final on December 13.