The FIFA Club World Cup 2023 will be hosted by Saudi Arabia from 12th to 22nd December, according to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.
This is part of the Saudi strategy to promote and develop the sporting industry. Recently, Saudi Arabia was also confirmed as host of 2027 Asian Cup which is regarded as among Asia’s major football events, held every four years. Besides football the country has also organised other international sports such as Formula One and mega golf and boxing events. The sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal has also expressed an interest in hosting the 2034 Asian Games as well as the Olympics.
The Club event was held during 2022 in Morocco, and in the UAE during 2020 and 2021. During prior years Brazil, Japan and Qatar have also played host.
The following Saudi national teams have participated in the event five times. According to reports, al-Nasr team participated in the first edition during 2000, followed by al-Ittihad in 2005, and al-Hilal in the 2019, 2021, and 2022 tournaments.
During recent months football fever in Saudi Arabia has become high voltage mainly due to Portuguese player Cristiano Ronaldo’s having joined a local club-al-Nasr.
