Copa Libertadores winners to complete Club World Cup line-up

Stakes are high ahead of Saturday’s 64th Copa Libertadores final as Boca Juniors look to win title number seven as Fluminense aim for their first ever Libertadores triumph with El Tricolor from Rio looking for their first ever title having only progressed to this stage once in their history ending up with a runners up medal after losing to LDU Quito in the 20028 final.

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The winners also have the added incentive of representing the continent and CONMEBOL at December’s 2023 FIFA Club World Cup with the Libertadores victors set to fill the seventh and final place at the competition that will be staged in the Saudi city of Jeddah in December.

Both Manchester City (Champions League winners) and Mexico’s Club Leon (CONCACAF CL winners) are playing at a Club World Cup for the first time ever with New Zealand’s Auckland participating for a record 11th time. Cairo based giants Al Ahly are also set to feature for a ninth time and qualify by virtue of winning the 22-23 CAF Champions League.

Local Jeddah based side Al Ittihad will represent the host nation with Nuno Espirito Santo’s winners of last season’s Saudi Pro League and can boast high calibre stars such as Benzema, Kante and Fabinho in their ranks.

The 2023 Club World Cup gets underway on 12 December winding up ten days later at the 60,000 capacity King Abdullah Sports City.