São Paulo – The city of Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia, will host the 2023 Club World Cup, according to an announcement made this Monday (26) by the International Football Federation (FIFA) and the Saudi Football Federation (Saff). The tournament will occur from December 12 to 22 this year.
South America does not have a representative yet. It will be the champion of the Conmebol Libertadores, which is still in the group stage and has finals scheduled for November. The participation of Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds (AFC Champions League winner, representing Asia), Egypt’s Al Ahly (CAF Champions League winner, representing Africa), England’s Manchester City (UEFA Champions League winner, representing Europe), Mexico’s León (CONCACAF Champions League winner; representing North, Central America, and the Caribbean), New Zealand’s Auckland City (OFC Champions League winner, representing Oceania), and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad, representing the host country as champions of the national league are already confirmed. In the opening picture, Al-Ittihad fans welcome former Real Madrid player Karim Benzema.
The matches will occur in two Saudi stadiums, King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah al-Faisal. They have capacities of 62,000 and 32,000 people, respectively. The Club World Cup will soon be remodeled, but in 2023 it will still take place in the traditional format, with only seven teams.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
