Saudi Arabia Karim Benzema's team, Al Ittihad, are in a different bracket, so they could face Man City in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup championship match.
Al Ittihad will face Oceania champions Auckland City in the first round, with a win for Benzema and his team-mates in the second round against African champions Al Ahly. The other second-round tie will be between CONCACAF champions Club Leon and Asian champions Urawa Red Diamonds.
In the semi-finals, the winner of the Club Leon - Urawa Red Diamonds tie will face the European champions, Man City. Meanwhile, the winner of the Al Ittihad bracket will face the South American champions. The South American champions have not yet been determined, as the Copa Libertadores - the highest level of club football in the region - has only reached the semi-finals.
Benzema (left) scored, but could not save Al Ittihad in their 3-4 loss to Al Hilal on September 1. Photo: Al Ittihad
The 2023 FIFA Club World Cup will take place from December 12 to 22 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The tournament will bring together the champions of six regions and the host team Al Ittihad. This is the first time Saudi Arabia has hosted the FIFA Club World Cup.
If they reach the final this year, Al Ittihad will be looking to replicate the feat of their compatriots Al Hilal. Last year, as Asian champions, Al Hilal caused a surprise by beating South American champions Flamengo 3-2 in the semi-finals. In the final, they lost 3-5 to Real Madrid. Real Madrid hold the record for most FIFA Club World Cup titles with five.
Man City are set to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time. In 2023, the Etihad Stadium team won four titles including the Champions League, FA Cup, Premier League and European Super Cup.
In the 2021-2022 Champions League semi-finals, Benzema scored three goals against Man City. The 35-year-old French striker moved to Al Ittihad this summer, after terminating his contract with Real Madrid a year early. In nine matches for the new team, Benzema scored five goals.
Last season, before Benzema was signed, Al Itiihad won the Saudi Pro League. They had 72 points from 30 games, five points ahead of second-placed Al Nassr, led by Cristiano Ronaldo. Al Hilal finished third with 59 points.
FIFA Club World Cup 2023 draw results:
Round one:
Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) - Auckland City (New Zealand)
Round two:
Al Ahly (Egypt) - Al Ittihad/Auckland City
Club Leon (Mexico) - Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)
Semifinal:
South American Champions - Al Ahly/Al-Ittihad/Auckland City
Leon/Urawa Red Diamonds - Man City (England)
Thanh Quy (according to ESPN )
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