Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema holds up the FIFA Club World Cup trophy prior to a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Elche CF at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Feb. 15, 2023
The 2023 Club World Club will be played in Jeddah, the home city of Saudi Arabian champion Al-Ittihad that has signed Karim Benzema, FIFA said yesterday.
Al-Ittihad will be joined by the six continental club champions — including Champions League winner Manchester City — for the Dec. 12-22 tournament. It will be the last edition in that format before the 32-team version launches in 2025 i n the United States.
FIFA said the 2023 tournament will be played in the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium. They hold about 62,000 and 27,000 spectators, respectively.
Benzema will be trying to retain the trophy he helped Real Madrid win in February, beating Saudi club Al-Hilal in the final hosted by Morocco.
Al-Ittihad will open the next tournament in a first-round game against Auckland City, the Oceania champion. The winner advances to the second round, joining León of Mexico, Al-Ahly of Egypt and Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan.
Man City and the South American champion enter at the semifinal stage. The Copa Libertadores final is played on Nov. 4.
Each continental champion from 2021 through 2024, except in Oceania, also qualifies directly for the expanded tournament in 2025.
FIFA picked Saudi Arabia in February to host the 2023 Club World Club, giving the kingdom its latest international soccer event in an aggressive push to make a bigger impact in world sports.
Saudi Arabia also will host the 2027 Asian Cup and is expected to be a strong contender bidding to host the men’s 2034 World Cup. MDT/AP
