This week, seven teams across six confederations will compete in Japan for the 13th edition of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Many teams complain about the disruptive effect the tournament can have on their domestic campaigns but few would pass up the opportunity to be crowned world champions.
Champions League winners Real Madrid are the clear favourites but the competition has proven to provide upsets over the years.
Here is Sport360’s club-by-club guide to the teams, and players, hoping to make their mark in Japan.
REAL MADRID (Spain, UEFA)
How they got there: The European champions toppled cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final again last season. Madrid hold a comfortable six-point lead at the top of the La Liga standings this term with Barcelona and Atletico faltering.
Star man: Cristiano Ronaldo – With Gareth Bale injured and Karim Benzema in some indifferent form, Ronaldo, even though not at full tilt, is their leading scorer and the man Madrid will rely on.
Prediction: Winners
Did you know: Real Madrid qualified for the inaugural edition of the competition in 2000 but could only finish fourth as Corinthians took the crown.
ATLETICO NACIONAL (Colombia, CONMEBOL)
How they got there: The Colombian side captured the 2016 Copa Libertadores title. They followed up that triumph with domestic glory as they won the Copa Colombia and the Superliga Colombiana.
Star man: Orlando Berrio– The 25-year-old winger has been in superb form for the South American outfit. He amassed 17 goals in 50 appearances for the team in the 2015/16 season, finishing as their top scorer in all competitions.
Prediction: Runners-up
Did you know: South American teams are the most successful in the Club World Cup with four titles, two runners-up spots and two third-place finishes.
JEONBUK HYUNDAI MOTORS (South Korea, AFC)
How they got there: The South Korean side beat Al Ain 3-2 on aggregate in last month’s AFC Champions League final. The UAE outfit will certainly watch on with envy.
Star man: Leonardo – The Brazilian has been a revelation in South Korea, scoring 10 goals in 14 Champions League appearances to lead them to victory.
Prediction: Fourth
Did you know: The best representation from Korea came in 2010 when Seongnam finished in fourth place.
CLUB AMERICA (Mexico, CONCACAF)
How they got there: Boasting the richest history in Mexican football, America secured their second consecutive CONCACAF Champions league title to qualify for this year’s tournament.
Star man: Silvio Romero – With Oribe Peralta struggling with injury this season and failing to hit form since his return, Romero has stepped up, scoring 10 league goals in 16 appearances including four in his last three.
Prediction: Third
Did you know: Club America made their second appearance in the Club World Cup last year and could only finish fifth.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS (CAF)
How they got there: The CAF Champions League winners make their first appearance in the tournament. They have 10 league domestic titles to their name.
Star man: Khama Billiat – Despite consistently being deployed on the flanks or behind the main striker, Billiat managed 15 goals last season and has three in 10 appearances this time around.
Prediction: Fifth
Did you know: The Sundowns had a total of 11 goal scorers during their Champions League winning campaign.
AUCKLAND CITY (New Zealand, OFC)
How they got there: Auckland won the OFC Champions League for a sixth consecutive time in 2016 to make it their eighth OFC crown in the past 10 years despite only being in existence for 12 years, speaking volumes of their dominance in the region.
Star man: Joao Moreira – The Portuguese hasn’t quite hit his stride this season with only three goals but struck five times in the OFC Champions League. The 30-year-old will be keen to lead the line against formidable opposition.
Prediction: Seventh
Did you know: Auckland will have appeared in eight out of 13 Club World Cups by the end of this year’s competition, the most by any team in the tournament’s history.
KASHIMA ANTLERS (Japan, AFC)
How they got there: The Japanese outfit qualify as champions of the J-League, the premier division of the host nation.
Star man: Gaku Shibasaki – The Japanese international is coming into his own at 24. He was named J-League MVP and Rookie of the Year in 2012 and has been integral to the Antlers.
Prediction: Sixth
Did you know: Kashima Antlers have won the J-League eight times. More than any other team.
