African champions Esperance will face Asian champions Al Sadd in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup, with the winner advancing to face Barcelona in the semi-finals.

The yet to be determined J-League champion were drawn yesterday to face Oceania’s Auckland City in the opening match, with the winner advancing to face Mexican club Monterrey in the quarter-finals.

The 8-18 December tournament features seven teams from FIFA’s six continental confederations.

European champions Barcelona and South American champion Santos are the seeded teams and enter at the semifinal stage.

J-League leaders Kashiwa Reysol, reigning champions Nagoya Grampus and Gamba Osaka are involved in a tight race to earn a berth at the Club World Cup.

The J-League champions qualify as the team from the host nation.

The Club World Cup returns to Japan for the first time since 2008. The last two editions of the tournament were held in the United Arab Emirates.