The two-day assembly will be attended by over 200 clubs, and for the first time in its history, it will include non-European clubs.
Boca Juniors, Santos FC, Corinthians, DC United, Toronto FC, Kashima Antlers and Adelaide United FC are among the non-European clubs that confirmed their attendance. The ECA is the sole, independent body directly representing football clubs at European level. It replaced the G14 Group and the European Club Forum in 2008.
At a plenary session to be held at the St Regis hotel on the opening day, Qatar Football Association (QFA) President, HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, will welcome all members of the ECA and invited guests.An official dinner will commence for delegates at the Museum of Islamic Arts later in the evening where Secretary General of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, Hassan Al Thawadi, will provide a speech outlining preparations already underway for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar.
Hassan Al Thawadi said: “The 10th ECA General Assembly coincides with the European Club Association's 5th anniversary and we are delighted to welcome and help celebrate this landmark with all ECA members.“The ECA has taken the lead in terms of integrating international football at club level through sharing of knowledge and best practices and hosting the GA is an important step for Qatar with regard to its ambition to be recognized as a platform for dialogue within the world of sport.
“It is also an opportunity for Qatar to realize its vision of football being able to act as a positive force for bridging cultural gaps between nations.”Secretary General of the QFA, Saud Al Mohannadi, has been invited to speak at the non-European club workshop to be held throughout the morning of the 6th February. The workshop will offer a forum to bring together clubs from all over the world to discuss best practice with regards to club representation at continental level and to find the best ways to cooperate in the future to an enhanced understanding of the issues faced in different football communities across the world.