Manchester City are set to participate in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia, entering the tournament at the semi-final stage as strong favourites to clinch the title.
Pep Guardiola's squad, having secured the Premier League title, now ventures into this competition as holders of the UEFA Champions League trophy for the first time.
Scheduled between December 12 and 22, this event bring together victors from each confederation's premier club tournament. Among City's primary challengers for the trophy are expected to be Brazilian outfit Fluminense and Saudi champions Al-Ittihad.
This will be the final edition of the seven-team FIFA Club World Cup, before a 32-club edition starts in 2025.
When is the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup?
The 2023 FIFA Club World Cup kicks off on Tuesday, December 12 and culminates with the final on Friday, December 22 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Jeddah will provide two host venues for the competition including the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium — home to Al Ittihad and the Saudi Arabia national team — and the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium. The two stadiums have respective capacities of 62,345 and 27,000.
Manchester City are entering the 2023 FIFA World Cup as favourites. Their triumph in the previous season's treble, notably securing a spot in this tournament by clinching the UEFA Champions League trophy for the first time, defeating Inter Milan 1-0 in the final, position them as favourites.
Under Pep Guardiola's guidance, Manchester City enjoys a bye straight into the semi-finals, skipping two rounds. Similarly, Brazil's Copa Libertadores champions, Fluminense, led by former Real Madrid full-back Marcelo, also bypass these initial stages.
Al-Ittihad earned their place as the host nation's team and pose a threat with star players like Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, and Fabinho in their ranks. The Saudi team will commence the tournament against Auckland City, the OFC Champions League winners from New Zealand, on Tuesday, December 12.
The winners of this opening match will square off against Egypt's Al Ahly, aiming to secure a spot in the semi-final against Fluminense. Meanwhile, Manchester City awaits the victors of the second-round match between Leon from Mexico, who claimed the CONCACAF Champions League, and Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds, holders of the AFC Champions League title.
FIFA Club World Cup Schedule
First round
Al-Ittihad v Auckland City - December 12 - 11:00 pm PST
Second round
Leon v Urawa Red Diamonds - December 15 - 7:30 pm PST
Al Ahly v First round winner - December 15 - 11:00 pm PST
Semi-finals
Fluminense v Second game-winner of the second round - December 18 - 11:00 pm PST
First game-winner of second round v Manchester City - December 19 - 11:00 pm PST
Third place play-off
Friday, 22 December - 07.30 pm PST
Final
Friday, 22 December - 11:00 pm PST
Players to look out for
Manchester City will be anxious about Erling Haaland's fitness after he was absent from the 2-1 victory against Luton in the Premier League on Sunday, December 10 due to a foot problem.
Kevin De Bruyne has resumed light training after his injury on the season's opening day and has been named in the squad. However, Pep Guardiola suggests that the Club World Cup might be too soon for the Belgian.
Fluminense boasts the experience of Brazilian players Marcelo, formerly of Real Madrid, and Felipe Melo, a veteran defender who previously played for Juventus and Inter Milan, still performing at 40 years old.
Al-Ittihad possesses one of the most formidable squads on paper, having secured the signings of Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, and Fabinho during the summer.
Uruguayan forward Federico Vinas has displayed excellent goal-scoring form for Leon, while Urawa Red Diamonds will be led by the seasoned Japanese defender Hiroki Sakai.
Egypt's primary goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy will be part of Al Ahly's lineup, and Emiliano Tade holds the record for Auckland City's all-time top scorer.