Japan was initially due to host this year’s tournament in December only to pull out amid concerns over the risk of rising COVID-19 cases.

The event is now set to take place early next year with the UAE confirmed as the new hosts at the recent FIFA Council meeting.

South Africa and Qatar were reportedly in the running to replace Japan but the event is set to be heading back to the UAE.

It will be the fifth time Abu Dhabi has staged the Club World Cup in the space of 13 years having played host in 2009, 2010, 2017 and 2018.

"This is awesome and a tremendous honour for us," Al Awani told The National.

"We would like to thank FIFA for the confidence and faith they have on us, based on the past successes of playing host to this immensely popular competition.

"We remain single-minded in our commitment to bringing world-class sports events to Abu Dhabi and making the UAE a central hub for sporting events."

Early February is being mooted as a possible slot for the tournament, featuring the six continental champions and the winners of the host nation's top-tier domestic league.

With Japan withdrawing its hosting rights over COVID-19 concerns, Al Awani insisted the new organisers will ensure participants are protected from coronavirus.

"It is of the utmost importance to us to offer a safe environment for the event, especially after successfully hosting world-class sporting events that received praise for the organisation and for the best COVID protocols," added Al Awani.

"We welcome fans to the Club World Cup with our traditional Arabic hospitality, state-of-the-art infrastructure and stadiums, with world-class travel and leisure facilities."

English side Chelsea and Egyptian outfit Al Ahly have secured their places at the Club World Cup after winning their continent’s Champions League title earlier this year.

They will be joined by the winner of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football final between Mexicans clubs CF Monterrey and Club America.

Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal and South Korea’s Pohang Steelers are due to battle it out for the Asian Champions League crown on November 23 before Brazilians rivals Flamengo and Palmerias go head to head in the final of the Copa Libertadores on November 27.

Oceanic champions Auckland City of New Zealand and UAE Pro League winners Al Jazira will also compete in the event.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino revealed earlier this month that there was still plans to expand the seven-team Club World Cup.

China had been scheduled to stage a 24-team format of the tournament this year only for this to be dashed due to the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.