Real Madrid, Guadalajara to face off in World Football Challenge

Two of the world’s most popular clubs are set to collide in San Diego when Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid take on Mexico’s popular CD Guadalajara at 11 pm ET on July 20 in the 2011 Herbalife World Football Challenge.

The match, which will take place at Qualcomm Stadium, is one of nine announced thus far and will be Real Madrid’s second in the Challenge, following a July 16 showdown at the LA Memorial Coliseum against the LA Galaxy.

Los Merengues are expected to bring most of their stars, including current La Liga leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, who tied the single-season record with a match remaining on the season, and several members of the 2010 World Cup-winning Spain squad, such as Iker Casillas, Xavi Alonso and Sergio Ramos.

Real Madrid, who reached the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League, are on pace to finish second in Spain, behind fellow World Football Challenge participants and archrivals Barcelona.

Chivas also boast a handful of 2010 World Cup veterans on their roster — Luis Michel, Johnny Magallón, Adolfo Bautista and Alberto Medina — and just ended their participation in the Clausura 2011 season in the Mexican Primera División. They reached the semifinals in the liguilla, falling to Pumas UNAM on aggregate.

Real Madrid will be the first of the two Spanish giants Guadalajara face. Los Rojiblancos are also scheduled to take on 2010-11 La Liga winners and Champions League finalists Barcelona on Aug. 3 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami.

Ticket information is available at WorldFootballChallenge.com.

2011 Herbalife World Football Challenge schedule