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Japan will host the Club World Cup for the next two years, world football’s governing body Fifa announced yesterday. After last staging the event in 2012, Japan will play host again in 2015 and 2016, with this year’s competition confirmed for December 10 to 20. Fifa secretary-general Jerome Valcke said on the Fifa website: “This is a country with a proven track record when it comes to staging Fifa events, including six editions of the Fifa Club World Cup, which were all successful.

“We know it will be a superb setting once again for this annual competition with good-sized crowds and a wonderful atmosphere.”

Japan Football Association (JFA) president Kuniya Daini said: “It’s a valuable opportunity for both players and fans to witness the world trends in club football.

“Not only does this competition bring exciting and entertaining football, it also gives us an insight into each participating country’s club culture and the respective domestic leagues.”

The JFA will announce the host cities for the 10-day tournament shortly.

The Club World Cup features the champions of all six confederations affiliated to Fifa: Africa, Asia, Concacaf, Europe, Oceania and South America, as well as Japan’s league champions.

The competition was first held in 2000 in Brazil and has been an annual event since 2005, with Japan hosting the event from 2005 to 2008 and again in 2011 and 2012.

European champions Real Madrid are the current holders after winning their first title in Morocco last year, beating San Lorenzo of Argentina 2-0 in the final. — AFP