Harambee Stars forward Michael Olunga will for the first time appear in the Fifa Club World Cup after Al-Duhail SC earned a slot when Auckland City FC withdrew.
The New Zealand club withdrew from the global club competition due to strict coronavirus restrictions still active in their country. The Club World Cup was itself shifted from December 2020 to February 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and will be played in Qatar.
Fifa admitted they could not find a quick solution – especially around isolation and quarantine - to have Auckland City participate.
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“Fifa has been informed by Auckland City FC that, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and related quarantine measures required by the New Zealand authorities, the club will be unable to participate in the Fifa Club World Cup 2020,” the world football governing body said.