The attacking midfielder completed a switch to St Mary’s on transfer deadline day, joining Ralph Hasenhüttl’s squad for the final months of the 2020/21 campaign.

Comfortable playing both centrally and out wide, Minamino will become the latest Japan international to represent Saints, following in the footsteps of Maya Yoshida most recently.

A total of 138 players are expected to head to Qatar, as each squad comprises 23-man lists.

Ulsan's players are relishing the opportunity fresh off winning the AFC Champions League at the end of 2020.

The Korea Republic side, nicknamed Tigers, will be in familiar surroundings as the 2020 AFC Champions League was played as a centralised tournament in Qatar.

The tournament kicks off with 2020 AFC Champions League winners Ulsan Hyundai FC facing CONCACAF Champions League winners Tigres UANL from Mexico.

Thursday's opening clash will be followed by CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly SC of Egypt playing Qatari champions Al Duhail SC. Ahead of the kick-off, join us as we take a look at some of the FIFA Club World Cup's interesting facts and stats

We kick off the series with the United Arab Emirates, a country passionate for its football where several clubs compete season after season for top honours and, understandably, which can bring about bragging rights as well after downing a rival.

The opening matches are still more than two months away, but that won’t stop us from breaking down Wednesday's draw and examining what to expect from a mouth-watering selection of groups in the West Zone.

Join the-AFC.com as we look at what to expect, what to ponder and what to watch from the matches ahead.

In lieu of waiting until April’s kick-off, we are jumping straight into this year’s extended field, analysing the contenders, the challengers and the storylines ahead in the East Zone of Asia’s premier club football competition.

Join the-AFC.com as we look at what to expect, what to ask and what to watch in the matches ahead.