The FIFA Club World Cup 2011 ( Engl. : FIFA Club World Cup 2011 ) was the eighth edition of this global soccer competition for club teams and took place from 8 to 18 December for the fifth time held in Japan that already in 2005 and 2008 Host was. With FC Barcelona , which won the competition for the first time in 2009 , a European team won the title for the fifth time in a row.
There were no changes compared to the competition mode that has been in effect since 2007. The tournament was held with seven participants. In addition to the six winners of the continental championship competitions at club level from Asia , Africa , the CONCACAF zone , South America , Europe and Oceania, there was also the champions of the host country, who had to play an elimination match against the winners of the OFC Champions League. Its winner played two participants in the semi-finals with the representatives of Africa, Asia and CONCACAF. For this, the teams from Europe and South America were set as before and only played two games each. As usual, the game was played in the knockout system . Eight games took place in eleven days.
The "Golden Ball" for the best player of the tournament went to the Argentine Lionel Messi from FC Barcelona. The "Silver Ball" went to the Spaniard Xavi from FC Barcelona and the "Bronze Ball" to the Brazilian Neymar from the finalist FC Santos.
FIFA Fair Play Trophy
The title holder FC Barcelona was also able to secure the fair play price for sportily correct appearance on and off the pitch .