The footballing competition kicks off this December.
Saudi shoots, Saudi scores. FIFA has announced that Saudi Arabia will host the FIFA Club World Cup 2023. The tournament kicks off from 12 to 22 December, and will bring the beautiful game to the kingdom.
FIFA Club World Cup 2023 was created in 2000, and Saudi Arabia is the sixth country to host the competition. The news comes after Al Hilal beat Real Madrid, then became the first winner of the AFC Champions League and the first Saudi Arabian club to reach the final of the tournament.
Saudi Arabia’s Sports Minister, Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al Faisal, declared: “We are honoured and extremely excited to be given the opportunity to welcome the world’s leading football clubs and their fans to Saudi Arabia. Many fans will have recently witnessed our ability as a nation to compete at the highest possible level on the pitch. Now we have the chance to prove we are also world-class hosts off it. We look forward to showcasing our genuine love of the game and our desire to be a force for good.”
The kingdom recently won the bid to host the AFC Asian Cup 2027. The kingdom is set to host the event for the first time, which includes the women’s Asian Cup, the Asian Games and the Asian Winter Games. Plus, the country is currently bidding to host 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Saudi Arabia has already proven itself on the world sporting stage, as it has welcomed major sports events including the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and LIV Golf tour.
As for football itself, it is growing in popularity in the country, as up to 80 per cent of the population play, watch or follow the sport. Plus, 200,000 females practice the sport every week and 50,000 taking part in the first-ever Schools League. Congratulations, Saudi.
GO: Visit www.fifa.com for more information.
