Football: Club World Cup is on the move

The 2013 FIFA Club World Cup Play-Off for the Quarter Final match between Raja Casablanca and Auckland City FC. Photo / Getty Images.

The Fifa Club World Cup is on the move - which is a pity, as Morocco seems the perfect venue.

All the talk is that next year the event will return to Japan, who hosted the tournament during 2005-08 and 2011-12.

It's probably an economic necessity but is unfortunate as Morocco brings many advantages.

Firstly, the passion for football is all-encompassing. It also exists in Japan, but sits beside baseball, sumo and other sports. There are numerous Moroccan television channels devoted almost exclusively to the sport and the games at last year's tournament were well attended, with enthusiastic support for all the teams. It hasn't always been the case in the past (particularly when the event was staged in the United Arab Emirates).

"This is our World Cup," explained one local journalist. "It's a big, big deal."

It also helped that last year Moroccan champions Raja Casablanca defied all expectations, becoming the first team from a host nation to reach the final since 2000.

The country has a strong football pedigree; they have qualified for the World Cup on four occasions and in 1986 the Lions of the Atlas become the first African nation to progress to the knockout stages (where they narrowly lost to eventual finalists West Germany).

But it's much more than football.

The country is a compelling mix; a slice of Africa mixed with a touch of Europe, the strong Arabic and Muslim culture together with the undoubted French influences from decades of colonialism.

Auckland City fans - whether they make the trip from London, other parts of Europe or the long haul from New Zealand, will be well rewarded for their efforts.

The New Zealand team will be based in the capital city of Rabat for their first match. It's located on the Atlantic coast in the north west and is home to the King and the government.

But this ain't no Canberra or Washington DC. It features a large, beautifully preserved Medina (old walled town), including the Hassan Mosque which dates back to 1184 and a magnificent castle. The other half of the city is the Ville Nouvelle (new city), with stunning examples of French urban architecture from the early 20th Century.

The latter stages of the tournament will be held in Marrakesh. It's been a tourist mecca for decades (maybe even centuries) and is an unbelievable place - where you can go from riding camels and dodging snake charmers to sipping mint tea in five star luxury.

The location works. It's close to Europe, which means less of a travel headache for the UEFA Champions League winners (who already face congested schedules in December) meaning they are more likely to put their best foot forward. The presence - and strong participation - of the big name European club is vital for the success and credibility of this tournament.

The climate in December, which fluctuates between 10 and 23 degrees, is perfect for football and there is virtually no rain in Morocco at that time of year.

The locals make for great hosts, with their ability to cover most major languages and even transcend cultural mores ("New Zealand? Ah... All Blacks, Jonah Lomu!")- continually impressing. And by African standards, it's a fairly safe place for a travelling football fan - the biggest danger is that you won't want to leave.