FIFA announced on Monday that the 2023 Club World Club will be held in Jeddah, the home city of Saudi Arabian champion Al-Ittihad, who signed Karim Benzema. For the tournament from December 12 to 22, Al-Ittihad will be joined by the 6 continental club champions, including Champions League champion Manchester City. Before the 32-team version launches in the United States in 2025, this edition will be the last under that format.
The 2023 FIFA World Cup will be held in the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium and the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, according to FIFA. They are capable of holding around 62,000 and 27,000 spectators, respectively. Benzema will be attempting to retain the trophy he helped Real Madrid win in February, defeating Saudi side Al-Hilal in Morocco’s final.
Al-Ittihad will begin the next campaign against Oceania champion Auckland City in the first round. The victor will join Mexico’s León, Egypt’s Al-Ahly and Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in the second round.
Man City and the South American champion are set to clash in the semifinals. The Copa Libertadores final is played on November 4. Except in Oceania, each continental winner from 2021 to 2024 qualifies directly for the expanded tournament in 2025. FIFA chose Saudi Arabia to host the 2023 Club World Club in February, giving the country its latest international football event as part of an ambitious campaign to make a stronger presence in global sports.