The first six clubs to take part in the inaugural FIFA Interactive Club World Cup were announced on Thursday 20 July. Players from Brondby, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Schalke, Sampdoria and Valencia will all be present in London on 5 August in the hope of claiming the last two tickets to the FIWC 2017 Grand Final, also to be held in the British capital.

Last chance  As well as the clubs, the names of the players were also revealed. Among them are well-known faces such as “Agge”, who followed his FIWC 2014 triumph by signing for PSG. The Danish veteran caught the eye this year by qualifying for the Season 1 and 2 regional finals in Paris and Madrid respectively, though he fell short of his high standards at both events.

Club-mate “Daxe” had more success in qualifying for the FIFA 17 Ultimate Team Championship in Berlin, though he failed to claim a ticket to London.

Young Danish gamer “Marcuzo” enjoyed a fine season himself, checking into the regional finals for Seasons 2 and 3, the latter of which was held in Munich, where he just missed out on a Grand Final slot.

Representing Schalke, another of virtual football’s powerhouses, “Tim Latka” will have another chance to qualify after narrowly failing to advance in Madrid. Joining him will be club-mate “Idealz” and Manchester City’s “Kez”.

A nation expects As for Sampdoria, they will be sending out the experienced “Lonewolf92”. A six-time Italian champion, he will be hoping to join compatriot “Prinsipe” in the Grand Final.

Spain do not have a single representative in the FIWC 2017 Grand Final as yet, and the task of saving its honour will fall to “DavidSP”, who wears the colours of Valencia.