Fifa's World Club Championship may have caused controversy after the decision of Manchester United to pull out of the FA Cup in order to compete.

But it is not a lengthy competition, with the winners only playing four games, including the final.

However there is little time for recovery, with a schedule meaning those matches are played within a nine-day period.

The eight teams start in two groups of four, with little room for error for sides intent on reaching the final.

Unlike other tournaments where group runners-up get an opportunity to reach the final, there are no second chances here.

The group winners contest the final, with the teams directly below them enjoying only the sonsolation of a place in the third place play-off.

All group games are played in the same stadium, with each matchday featuring two matches in a double-headed format.

The world famous 100,000-capacity Maracana Stadium hosts Group A in Rio de Janeiro, while the Morumbi Stadium holds 80,000 for the Group B games in Sao Paulo.

Tournament schedule

5-14 January 2000 - All times GMT

Group A (Sao Paulo)

5 Jan Real Madrid v Al-Nassr 2045
5 Jan Corinthians v Raja Casablanca 2315
7 Jan Real Madrid v Corinthians 2045
7 Jan Raja Casablanca v Al-Nassr 2315
10 Jan Real Madrid v Raja Casablanca 2045
10 Jan Al-Nassr v Corinthians 2315

Group B (Rio de Janeiro )

6 Jan Manchester United v Necaxa 2015
6 Jan Vasco da Gama v South Melbourne 2245
8 Jan Manchester United v Vasco da Gama 2015
8 Jan South Melbourne v Necaxa 2245
11 Jan Manchester United v South Melbourne 2015
11 Jan Necaxa v Vasco da Gama 2245

Match for 3rd place (Rio de Janeiro)

14 Jan Real Madrid v Necaxa - Group runners-up meet at 1900

Final (Rio de Janeiro)

14 Jan Corinthians v Vasco de Gama - Group winners meet at 2200