The 2023 FIFA Club World Cup will be the final version of the tournament in its current seven-team format, ahead of ambitious expansion plans in the future.
FIFA's bold step to increase the teams competing to 32 has caused a wave of criticism for football's governing body, with the 2024 tournament now removed from the calendar, as FIFA finalise their preparations for 2025 onwards.
The 2023 iteration will include clubs from FIFA's six continental federations, with the Asian Football Confederation represented twice, with Saudi Arabia hosting the event. Despite causing disruption within the domestic calendar in Europe, the FIFA Club World Cup still holds plenty of prestige, with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City making their first appearance in it.
The Sporting News has the full details on where the tournament is being held, including stadiums and qualified teams.
MORE: 2023 FIFA Club World Cup fixtures and results
Where is the FIFA Club World Cup 2023?
The FIFA Club World Cup 2023 will be held in Saudi Arabia, and defending domestic champions Al Ittihad kicked off the tournament with a 3-0 First Round win over Auckland City.
Manchester City will join at the semifinal stage with the final set for December 22.
FIFA Club World Cup 2023 venues, stadiums
The FIFA Club World Cup 2023 features seven games in total, which will all be staged in the city of Jeddah, in the west of Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea coast.
Jeddah will provide two host venues for the competition including the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium — home to Al Ittihad and the Saudi Arabia national team — and the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium. The two stadiums have respective capacities of 62,345 and 27,000.
FIFA Club World Cup 2023 qualified teams
Six of the seven qualifiers have secured their spot at the FIFA Club World Cup 2023 as champions of their individual primary continental club tournament.
Manchester City's 2022/23 UEFA Champions League triumph over Inter Milan sealed their place with Fluminense's 2023 Copa Libertadores win over Boca Juniors confirming the CONMEBOL team.
Al Ittihad have qualified as a club representative of the host nation with Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds the defending AFC Champions League winners.
Here are the qualified teams as shown below:
— Futball News (@FutballNews_) November 6, 2023
FIFA Club World Cup 2023 is Complete
Al Ahly vs Al Ittihad/Auckland City
The winner will face Fluminense
Club León vs Urawa Reds
The winner will face Manchester City in the final match...#ClubWC pic.twitter.com/Asi2AXEOoS
FIFA Club World Cup 2023 qualified teams
- Al Ittihad (Hosts)
- Manchester City (UEFA Champions League winners)
- Urawa Red Diamonds (AFC Champions League winners)
- Club Leon (CONCACAF Champions League winners)
- Auckland City (OFC Champions League winners)
- Al Ahly (CAF Champions League winners)
- Fluminense (CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores winners)
FIFA Club World Cup winners
Real Madrid are the most successful side in FIFA Club World Cup history with Los Blancos winning their fifth title in 2022. Spanish rivals Barcelona have won it three times since the competition's inception in 2000.
| Year | Champion | Country | Region | Final Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Real Madrid | Spain | Europe (UEFA) | Real Madrid 5-3 Al Hilal |
| 2021 | Chelsea | England | Europe (UEFA) | Chelsea 2-1 Palmeiras* |
| 2020 | Bayern Munich | Germany | Europe (UEFA) | Bayern 1-0 Tigres |
| 2019 | Liverpool | England | Europe (UEFA) | Liverpool 1-0 Flamengo* |
| 2018 | Real Madrid | Spain | Europe (UEFA) | Real Madrid 4-1 Al Ain |
| 2017 | Real Madrid | Spain | Europe (UEFA) | Real Madrid 1-0 Gremio |
| 2016 | Real Madrid | Spain | Europe (UEFA) | Real Madrid 4-2 Kashima Antlers* |
| 2015 | Barcelona | Spain | Europe (UEFA) | Barcelona 3-0 River Plate |
| 2014 | Real Madrid | Spain | Europe (UEFA) | Real Madrid 2-0 San Lorenzo |
| 2013 | Bayern Munich | Germany | Europe (UEFA) | Bayern 2-0 Raja Casablanca |
| 2012 | Corinthians | Brazil | S. America (CONMEBOL) | Corinthians 1-0 Chelsea |
| 2011 | Barcelona | Spain | Europe (UEFA) | Barcelona 4-0 Santos |
| 2010 | Internazionale | Italy | Europe (UEFA) | Inter 3-0 TP Mazembe |
| 2009 | Barcelona | Spain | Europe (UEFA) | Barcelona 2-1 Estudiantes* |
| 2008 | Man United | England | Europe (UEFA) | Man United 1-0 LDU Quito |
| 2007 | AC Milan | Italy | Europe (UEFA) | Milan 4-2 Boca Juniors |
| 2006 | Internacional | Brazil | S. America (CONMEBOL) | Internacional 1-0 Barcelona |
| 2005 | Sao Paulo | Brazil | S. America (CONMEBOL) | Sao Paulo 1-0 Liverpool |
| 2000 | Corinthians | Brazil | S. America (CONMEBOL) | Corinthians 0-0 Vasco da Gama** |
* After extra time
** Match went to penalty shootout