Author: Soorya G
The last edition of the FIFA Club World Cup in its current format will be played at the end of the year in Saudi Arabia, a country in the Middle East, between December 12 and 22, before the championship switches to its new format from the next edition. The only cup competition with teams from all over the world at club level will see a huge expansion from next season, as the number of participating teams will increase by more than four times, from the current size of seven to an extravaganza of 32 teams from 2025.
The teams taking part in this version of the tournament are mainly determined through regional and continental championships, and the qualified teams take their places in the cup. The winners of the Ocenia Champions League face the champions of the host country’s top division, before the winner advances to the quarter-finals with the winners of the AFC, CONCACAF and CAF Champions Leagues. The two best teams from this round go through to the semi-final stage, where the winners of the Copa Libertadores and the UEFA Champions League await them.
This year, as Saudi Arabia is the host country, Al-Ittihad qualified for the tournament. Although teams from the Middle East would not normally be in the top echelons of the sport, this edition brings great development, as the Saudi Pro League has been acquiring the best talent in the world. Al Ittihad want to give European and South American teams a chance, as they have players such as Karim Benzema, holder of the Ballon d’Or, N’Golo Kante and Brazilian veteran Fabinho in their ranks.
Al Ittihad will face Auckland City in the first round, while the second round matches consist of Club Leon against Asian champions Urawa Red Diamonds. The winner of the first-round match will face Egypt’s Al Ahly. Whoever wins will face the winner of the Copa Libertadores, while Urawa or Al Ahly will play European champions Manchester City in the final. The finals will be held in Jeddah on December 22, when the last champion of the current format will be crowned.