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Soccer

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

FIFA confirm 2023 Club World Cup host city in Saudi Arabia: teams, dates, venues, format…

After revealing that the revamped 2025 tournament will be held in the United States, FIFA have released details about the smaller 2023 edition.

Roddy Cons
Roddy ConsRoddyCons
After revealing that the revamped 2025 tournament will be held in the United States, FIFA have released details about the smaller 2023 edition.
ANDREW BOYERSAction Images via Reuters

Saudi Arabia are getting into the habit of getting what they want when it comes to soccer (Lionel Messi and Luka Modric apart). The fact that the Spanish Super Cup has been played in Jeddah since 2019 seemed quite a big deal at the time but has been rendered fairly insignificant by recent developments, which have seen five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo and current holder Karim Benzema move to the Saudi Pro League, whose clubs are also targeting some of Europe’s younger stars this summer (many of whom seem to play for Chelsea).

When and where will the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup take place?

Days after it was announced that FIFA’s controversial ‘new’ Club World Cup, the first to feature 32 teams, would be played in the United States in 2025, world soccer’s governing body have revealed that the smaller 2023 event will take place at two venues in Jeddah, expected to be King Abdullah Sport City Stadium and the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, between 12 and 22 December.

Which teams will take part in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup?

As has been the case for the best part of two decades, seven teams will take part in the competition:

  • Al Ahly (2022/23 CAF Champions League winners)
  • Al Ittihad (AFC, host)
  • Auckland City (2023 OFC Champions League winners)
  • Club Léon (2023 CONCACAF Champions League winners)
  • Manchester City (2022/23 UEFA Champions League winners)
  • Urawa Red Diamonds (2022 AFC Champions League winners)
  • TBD (2023 CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores winners)

What will the format of the tournament be?

The tournament will again follow the same format as it has done in recent years, with the UEFA and CONMEBOL representatives entering the competition at the semi-final phase.

There will be two rounds prior to that, with Al Ittihad and Auckland City facing off in the opening round to determine who joins León, Al Ahly and Urawa Red Diamonds in the second round. A draw will determine who plays against who in the second round, with the winners then advancing to the semi-finals.

Record winners Real Madrid not involved in 2023 Club World Cup

Real Madrid have won the tournament on more occasions (five) than anyone else but won’t have the chance to defend the title they won in Morocco in February after losing to Manchester City in the Champions League semi-finals.