The event was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[1] as the AFC, CONMEBOL, and CONCACAF champions would not have been decided in time for the tournament.

Originally to be held in December 2020, on 17 November of the same year FIFA announced that the competition would be played between 1 and 11 February 2021.

However, OFC's representatives Auckland City withdrew due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related quarantine measures required by the New Zealand authorities.

[4] With proposals for an expanded Club World Cup, FIFA delayed the announcement of a host.

[7] Notes The matches were played in the city of Al Rayyan, at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium and Education City Stadium; both 40,000-seat venues which would later host matches at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

[19][20] Brazilian referee Edina Alves Batista became the first woman to officiate at a senior FIFA men's tournament.