Football fans across the world will turn their attention towards the south-west of Saudi Arabia as 16 of the best clubs in the region compete for the King Salman Cup, which will take place in the mountain cities of Taif, Abha and Al Baha starting this week.
Reigning champions Raja Casablanca are joined by arch rivals and CAF Champions League runners-up Wydad, while the UAE will be represented by Abu Dhabi side Al Wahda.
But all eyes will be on the domestic trio of Al Hilal, Al Nassr and Al Ittihad who come into the competition on the back of record spending following their acquisition by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF.
Al Hilal, runners-up in 2019 when they lost to Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel in the final in Al Ain, get their campaign under way on Thursday against Libyan side Al Ahli Tripoli in Abha.