FIFA Club World Cup 2012: Bracket, Schedule, Predictions and More
The 2012 FIFA Club World Cup will give football fans an opportunity to watch the champions of all the best club competitions from last season play in a competitive tournament with a prestigious trophy on the line.
As usual, the tournament is headlined by the winner of the UEFA Champions League, which is Premier League club Chelsea.
The Blues are hoping to become the sixth straight European club to win this tournament since it began in 2000. Manchester United became the first and only English club to win the FIFA Club World Cup in 2008.
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Let's look at the tournament bracket and schedule and make some predictions for this exciting club tournament.
Teams Participating
| Club | Country | Tournament Won in 2012 |
| Chelsea | England | UEFA Champions League |
| Al-Ahly | Egypt | CAF Champions League |
| Corinthians | Brazil | Copa Libertadores |
| Ulsan Hyundai | South Korea | AFC Champions League |
| Monterrey | Mexico | CONCACAF Champions League |
| Sanfrecce Hiroshima | Japan | J. League Division 1 |
| Auckland City | New Zealand | OFC Champions League |
Bracket/Schedule
| Round | Date | Team | Team | |
| Playoff | December 6 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | vs. | Auckland City |
| Quarterfinals | December 9 | Ulsan Hyundai | vs. | Monterrey |
| Quarterfinals | December 9 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima/Auckland City | vs. | Al-Ahly |
| Semifinals | December 12 | Corinthians | vs. | TBD |
| Semifinals | December 13 | Chelsea | vs. | TBD |
| Final | December 16 | TBD | vs. | TBD |
| 3rd Place | December 16 | TBD | vs. | TBD |
| 5th Place | December 12 | TBD | vs. | TBD |
Predictions
As the strongest team in the tournament, Chelsea are my prediction to win the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup.
The Blues' toughest opponent will be Corinthians, who, like the English club, are already in the semifinal. Expect these two teams to meet in the final with another trophy at stake.
Brazilian teams have often done well in this tournament, but the last club from South America to win the FIFA Club World Cup was Internacional (Brazil) in 2006.
Even though Chelsea are struggling in the Champions League, they will be highly motivated to win this tournament because it may be the only trophy that the club wins this season. Obviously, it's still early in the season, but Chelsea must make the most of every opportunity they have to win trophies.
Chelsea have too much attacking quality to be stopped in this tournament. The Blues will win the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time in club history.
