On Thursday in Japan, J1 League champions Kashima Antlers and New Zealand-based powerhouse Auckland City will meet in a playoff to kick off the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup, an annual competition designed to crown the top club team in the world.
In addition to the winner of Thursday’s playoff, this year’s tournament will feature:
Atlético Nacional (South America)
Real Madrid (Europe)
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (Asia)
Mamelodi Sundowns (Africa)
Club América (North America)
It’s certainly an interesting field, headlined by Spanish La Liga giant Real Madrid – not to mention Colombia’s Atlético Nacional, who head to Japan with heavy hearts following the tragedy of their Copa Sudamericana final opponent Chapecoense.