Saudi Arabia to host revamped Club World Cup in December as FIFA board unanimously selects Middle Eastern state for event

Saudi Arabia has been selected to host the Club World Cup in December this year.

The Middle Eastern state has never hosted a major footballing event in its history but has been chosen to host the event, which will run from December 12-22.

The FIFA council, made up of representatives from all continental confederations, unanimously agreed that Saudi Arabia should be awarded the tournament.

This is the latest watershed moment for the Gulf state in its bid to have growing influence in the sport.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, chaired by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, bought Newcastle from Mike Ashley in October 2021 amid reports the country will bid to host the World Cup in 2030 .

Several other sports have seen investment from the nation in recent years, including the controversial LIV Golf, a tour funded by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth.

High-profile boxing bouts have also taken place in the country’s capital, Jeddah, including Anthony Joshua’s rematch against Oleksandr Usyk in August 2022 and the World Boxing Super Series final between George Groves and Callum Smith in September. 2018.

Cristiano Ronaldo joined Saudi outfit Al Nassr earlier this year in a move worth £177million a year.

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Getty

Saudi Arabia’s increased interest in sport has raised questions, with many critics calling their growing influence a “sport washout”, while the country’s human rights record has often been condemned.

The Club World Cup only ended on Saturday when Real Madrid beat Al Hilal in an eight-goal thriller, which took place at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Morocco as the competition was sponsored by Visit Saudi Arabia , the country’s official tourist office. .

The tournament itself will also undergo major changes ahead of its scheduled date in December.

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The current format sees all seven clubs winning each confederation’s continental tournament with the host country’s champion in a knockout competition.

But the overhaul, led by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, will see the participation of 32 teams from around the world, including 12 from Europe.

Although entry requirements have yet to be explicitly revealed, an earlier plan from 2017 would have included all UEFA Champions League winners, UEFA Champions League runners-up, UEFA Europa League winners and Copa Libertadores winners from all four seasons up to and including. the year of the event.

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