Al Ittihad captain Karim Benzema says the hosts will “do everything they can” to capture the Fifa Club World Cup, although he warned against underestimating Auckland City in the tournament opener on Tuesday.
The reigning Saudi Arabian champions, appearing in the competition for only a second time, kick off its first staging in the kingdom against the 2022/23 Oceania Champions League winners at their King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Should Ittihad emerge victorious against the 11-time participants from New Zealand, they will set up a quarter-final clash with Egypt’s Al Ahly on Friday.
Recent Copa Libertadores winners Fluminense await in the last four, with European champions Manchester City favourites to reach the final from the other side of the draw.