FIFA says Saudi metropolis Jeddah, dwelling of Benzema’s Al-Ittihad, will stage subsequent Club World Cup

ZURICH — The 2023 Club World Club will probably be performed in Jeddah, the house metropolis of Saudi Arabian champion Al-Ittihad that has signed Karim Benzema, FIFA mentioned Monday.

Al-Ittihad will probably be joined by the six continental membership champions – together with Champions League winner Manchester City – for the Dec. 12-22 event. It would be the final version in that format earlier than the 32-team model launches in 2025 i n the United States.

FIFA mentioned the 2023 event will probably be performed within the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium. They maintain about 62,000 and 27,000 spectators, respectively.

Benzema will probably be attempting to retain the trophy he helped Real Madrid win in February, beating Saudi membership Al-Hilal within the ultimate hosted by Morocco.

Al-Ittihad will open the subsequent event in a first-round sport towards Auckland City, the Oceania champion. The winner advances to the second spherical, becoming a member of León of Mexico, Al-Ahly of Egypt and Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan.

Man City and the South American champion enter on the semifinal stage. The Copa Libertadores ultimate is performed on Nov. 4.

Each continental champion from 2021 by means of 2024, besides in Oceania, additionally qualifies immediately for the expanded event in 2025.

FIFA picked Saudi Arabia in February to host the 2023 Club World Club, giving the dominion its newest worldwide soccer occasion in an aggressive push to make a much bigger influence in world sports.