World Club Championship schedule

Fifa's World Club Championship may have caused controversy after the decision of Manchester United to pull out of the FA Cup in order to compete.

But it is not a lengthy competition, with the winners only playing four games, including the final.

However there is little time for recovery, with a schedule meaning those matches are played within a nine-day period.

The eight teams start in two groups of four, with little room for error for sides intent on reaching the final.

Unlike other tournaments where group runners-up get an opportunity to reach the final, there are no second chances here.

The group winners contest the final, with the teams directly below them enjoying only the sonsolation of a place in the third place play-off.

All group games are played in the same stadium, with each matchday featuring two matches in a double-headed format.

The world famous 100,000-capacity Maracana Stadium hosts Group A in Rio de Janeiro, while the Morumbi Stadium holds 80,000 for the Group B games in Sao Paulo.

Tournament schedule

5-14 January 2000 - All times GMT

Group A (Sao Paulo)

5 Jan Real Madrid v Al-Nassr 2045
5 Jan Corinthians v Raja Casablanca 2315
7 Jan Real Madrid v Corinthians 2045
7 Jan Raja Casablanca v Al-Nassr 2315
10 Jan Real Madrid v Raja Casablanca 2045
10 Jan Al-Nassr v Corinthians 2315

Group B (Rio de Janeiro )

6 Jan Manchester United v Necaxa 2015
6 Jan Vasco da Gama v South Melbourne 2245
8 Jan Manchester United v Vasco da Gama 2015
8 Jan South Melbourne v Necaxa 2245
11 Jan Manchester United v South Melbourne 2015
11 Jan Necaxa v Vasco da Gama 2245

Match for 3rd place (Rio de Janeiro)

14 Jan Real Madrid v Necaxa - Group runners-up meet at 1900

Final (Rio de Janeiro)

14 Jan Corinthians v Vasco de Gama - Group winners meet at 2200