FIFA confirm the 2023 Club World Cup will take place in Jeddah, with Man City set to travel to Saudi Arabia to play in the seven-team tournament after winning their first Champions League earlier this month
FIFA has announced that the Club World Cup will be heading to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, later this year.
The Middle East nation was named as the host back in February, but the confirmation over which city would hold the games was delayed until now.
Following an inspection of Jeddah’s facilities, FIFA have approved the city for all of the matches.
This means that Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad, who have just added Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante to their ranks, will have home advantage for the tournament which runs from December 12-22.
Manchester City will take part in the Club World Cup for the first time after beating Inter Milan in the Champions League final earlier this month.
FIFA has announced the 2023 Club World Cup will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Karim Benzema’s Al-Ittihad will have home advantage for the tournament after the decision
Pep Guardiola’s Man City will travel to Saudi Arabia after winning the Champions League
Al-Ahly, Leon, Urawa Red Diamonds and Auckland City will also be part of the tournament, while the final of the seven teams is still to be decided.
Saudi Arabia are also bidding to host the 2030 World Cup, and the president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, Yasser Al Misehal, was delighted with the news that his country will get the chance to host a major event later this year.
‘Sport is a key driver of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation under Vision 2030, which has established the Kingdom as one of the fastest growing and most exciting countries in world sport,’ he said.
‘We believe hosting international events like the FIFA Club World Cup provides an opportunity to grow the game further and inspire new and existing fans, while showcasing to the world Saudi’s hospitable culture and huge passion for football.’
Saudi Arabia have been spending big in recent months as they look to make a major splash in football.
Al-Nassr signed Cristiano Ronaldo in December, and with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund controlling four leading clubs in the Pro League, they have been tempting more players to the country this summer.
Benzema and Kante have joined Al-Ittihad, while Al-Hilal have snapped up midfielder Ruben Neves and centre back Kalidou Koulibaly.
More Chelsea players are expected to make the move to Saudi Arabia, with Hakim Ziyech and Edouard Mendy closing in on transfers away from Stamford Bridge.
Saudi Arabia are also keen on having an influence on other sports, and had a major breakthrough earlier this month when the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf agreed to merge.
They have since expressed an interest in investing in tennis, with ATP Tour chair Andrea Gaudenzi confirming that talks have taken place.
