The FIFA Club World Championship is a tournament for the clubs classed as the six best in the world - the champions from all six continents - although it is usual for the Oceania champions to play-off against the champions of the host country.

The competition first took place in 2000 when Corinthians triumphed for the host nation. The intention was to formally replace the Toyota Cup which saw the champions of Europe and South America - historically the strongest footballing continents in the world - play for the trophy. However, it was not until 2005 that the next tournament took place. Winners Sao Paulo pipped Liverpool to the trophy in Japan and when Sport Club Internacional de Porto Alegre also won ahead of FC Barcelona in 2006, the domination of the Copa Libertadores seemed unstoppable. Japan 2007 saw AC Milan finally bring the title to Europe although Boca Juniors ran them closest.

The 2008 competition, also being held in Japan, sees English champions Manchester United pitted alongside LDU Quito of Ecuador, Pachuca of Mexico, African champions Al Ahly from Egypt, New Zealand’s Waitakere United, AFC champions Gamba Osaka and Adelaide United of Australia who qualified as the highest placed non-host national AFC runner up due to Osaka’s triumph.

The first match saw Adelaide squeeze past Waitakere 2-1 only to fall to Osaka at the quarter final stage. Osaka had previously beaten Adelaide 5-0 over the two-legged AFC Final to qualify via that route. In the other quarter final. Pachuca needed extra time to finally put paid to Al Ahly’s third challenge on the tournament with a 4-2 win.

The semi-finals are therefore set up with Pachuca’s prize for that victory being a match against LDU Quito whilst Osaka have the glamour tie against Manchester United.

Pachuca are relative newcomers to success only having secured their first domestic title in 1999. Yet they have appeared determined to make up for lost time by winning four more since then and they will no doubt prove a stern test for the Ecuadorian side who made history by becoming the first from their country to lift the Copa Libertadores. Nine times domestic champions themselves, they must have similar thoughts to their opponents that a semi-final win will present a fabulous opportunity to become the best club in the world.

Manchester United are almost certainly unwilling participants in the competition given the relative rewards of continued Premiership and Champions League success balanced against travelling half way around the world to play two matches. Osaka meanwhile must be drooling at the prospect of playing on home soil against the reigning European Champions with a chance to go on to the final in Yokohama on 21^st December.

FIFA are determined that the tournament will continue and that it will be deemed a success. As long as the top teams from around the world continue to confirm their attendance, despite such reservations as may be thought but not voiced by the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, there is a very good chance that the FIAF Club World Championship will be a regular fixture on the world football calendar.