Real Madrid to start Club World Cup campaign on December 22

The Spanish giants will compete for their second title of the season in December. FIFA have now confirmed the dates for this season's iteration of the competition, with their first game pencilled in for December 19.

The tournament will get underway a week earlier on December 12, with the tournament set to take place in the UAE.

Real Madrid will arrive for the third season in a row as the reigning European champions and will play their first game a week after the tournament opener.

Depending on the result of their semi-final tie, Lopetegui's side will either play in the final or the third-place play-off on December 22.

So far, only Real Madrid, Chivas, Al Ain and Team Wellington's involvement has been confirmed.