Benzema’s Al-Ittihad avoid facing Man City in semifinals of Saudi-hosted FIFA Club World Cup
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabian champion Al-Ittihad and their star striker Karim Benzema avoided Manchester City in the semifinals draw Tuesday for the first FIFA Club World Cup to be hosted by the kingdom. The Dec. 12-22 tournament for continental champions and the host nation’s league winner will be played in Al-Ittihad’s home city Jeddah – the latest statement of Saudi ambitions in global soccer including aiming to host the men’s World Cup in 2034. The event will be the last Club World Cup in the current annual format before a 32-team version played every four years starts in June 2025. The inaugural host is the United States. Al-Ittihad will open the seven-team tournament against Auckland City, the champion of Oceania. The winner will advance to face African champion Al-Ahly of Egypt in the second round for a place in the semifinals against the champion of South America. The Copa Libertadores is currently at the semifinals stage featuring Boca Juniors of Argentina and Brazilian clubs Palmeiras, Fluminense and Internacional. Man City, as the champion of Europe, also get direct entry to the semifinals and will play either Club León of Mexico or Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan. The final on Dec. 22 will be played at the 62,000-seat King Abdullah Sports City, home of Al-Ittihad.
