FIFA have released 2023 FIFA Club World Cup draw with European champions Manchester City knowing their opponents enroute to the final.
Manchester City will be heading to the tournament for the first time in the club’s history.
However, Pep Guardiola is not a newbie in FIFA Club World Cup, having won it twice with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011 after he clinched the Champions League trophy with the Laliga giants.
FIFA Club World Cup seems to be an exclusive reserve for European clubs as they have been the most successful teams in the tournament with Manchester City expected to toe into the dominant trail.
The Premier League and European champions will enter the tournament at the semi-final stage.
A win will see them progress to the final where they are expected to clinch their first FIFA Club World Cup trophy.
Teams seeded in 2023 FIFA Club World Cup Draw
Al Ittihad
Al Ittihad are joining the competition not as continental winners but as domestic league champions of the host country, Saudi Arabia.
They will play the opening kickoff against Auckland City on December 2023.
Auckland City
Auckland City joins as champions of Oceania. The are domestic giants in New Zealand, having won New Zealand league title eight times and OFC Champions League seven times. They will trade tackles with Al Ittihad in the opening kickoff.
Al Ahly Sporting Club
Al Ahly Sporting Club are Egypt Premier League champions and champions of Africa, having won 2023 CAF Champions League.
Al Ahly will kick start their FIFA Club World Cup campaign in the quarterfinal, taking on the winner between Al Ittihad and Auckland City.
Club Leon
Club Leon are CONCACAF champions, representing clubs in the Caribbean, North America, and Central America.
They are reigning champions of Liga MX +, Mexico elite football division. Club Leon will face Urawa Reds in second quarterfinal match for a place in the semi-final.
Urawa Reds
Urawa Reds are Asian champions representing clubs competing in AFC Champions League. They are also champions of Japan’s elite division, J1 League. They will kickoff their campaign against CONCACAF champions, Club Leon.
CONMEBOL Champions
Copa Libertadoes champions, representing CONMEBOL in South America, have been included in the fixtures although they are yet to conclude 2023 Copa Libertadoes which is at the semi-final stages. The winner will face either Al Ahly, Al Ittihad or Auckland City in the semi-final.
Manchester City
Manchester City are favorites to win 2023 FIFA Club World Cup. They are English Premier League and European champions. They will kick off their campaign at semifinal against Club Leon or Urawa Reds.
Full fixtures of 2023 FIFA Club World Cup
Al Ittihad Vs Auckland City
Al Ahly Vs Winner Match 1
Club Leon Vs Urawa Reds
Libertadores Winner Vs Winner Match 2
Club Leon or Urawa Reds Vs Manchester City
2023 FIFA Club World Cup kickoff
FIFA Club World Cup is a 10 days tournament slated to kickoff on Tuesday, 12 December 2023 through Friday, 22 December 2023.
How to watch FIFA Club World Cup
The tournament will be streamed live on accredited football broadcast agencies and online streaming platforms such as bein SPORT.
