Zenit Kazan qualified for this tournament as European champions, but made their debut appearance at the Club World Championship in 2009 as a wildcard. They finished in third place that year. They returned to Qatar two years later and again won bronze, this time defeating Brazilian side SESI Sao Paulo. Their most recent appearance was in the 2012 edition when they dropped to fourth after losing to PGE Skra Belchatow, the team from Poland they had previously beaten in the 2011/12 European Champions League final.

Zenit Kazan were founded with the name Dinamo Kazan in 2000. In 2003/04 they finished third in their debut season in the Russian Super League, having progressed through the lower leagues. Their first title was sealed in the 2006/07 season when they were known as Dinamo-Tattransgas. Zenit won the European Champions League for the first time in the 2007/08 campaign. They appointed Russia coach Vladimir Alekno the following season and won the domestic league title for the second time. They won a 'golden double' for the first time in the 2009/10 season – taking both the Championship and Russian Cup titles. Overall the Russians have won seven of the last nine domestic league titles, four Russian Cups, three Super Cups and also have three European Champions League crowns to their name.