Saudi Arabia to host the 2023 World Cup for clubs
The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) officially announced the holding of the next edition of the 2023 Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia, from December 12 to 22, to become the sixth country to host the tournament since its inception in 2000.
A statement by the international body on the sidelines of its council meeting in Zurich said: “With regard to the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup, which will be held under the current system with the participation of seven clubs, the International Federation Council unanimously appointed the Saudi Football Association to host the tournament.”
The announcement comes three days after Real Madrid was crowned champion of the 2022 edition hosted by Morocco, during which Al Hilal Saudi Arabia came in second.
After the FIFA Council approved last December an increase in the number of clubs participating in the Club World Cup to 32, starting from the 2025 edition, yesterday it revealed how the number of clubs would be distributed according to continents.
The European Union got the largest number with 12 clubs, four each for the Asian and African Confederations and the CONCACAF Confederation (North and Central America and the Caribbean Islands), six for CONMEBOL (the South American Confederation), and a seat for the Oceania Confederation, in addition to a club from the host country.
The Kingdom’s choice to host the FIFA Club World Cup is the latest milestone in the development of Saudi football, which comes after the decision to host the 2027 Asian Cup, while also submitting the bid to host “Asia 2026 for Women.”
The Saudi Ministry of Sports said on Twitter: “Welcome to the world in the home of major sporting events.” She referred to the support of the Saudi leadership in hosting major sporting events.
Officially… (FIFA) grants Saudi Arabia the first World Cup hosted on its soil.
