Al Hilal SFC’s defeat to Real Madrid in the final of the recent Club World Cup was a disappointment for Asian football, but these days good news is never too far around the corner for Saudi football fans. Case in point, FIFA’s announcement that the next edition of the tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia.
The annual, knockout tournament will run from December 12 to 22, 2023, seeing the the continental champions of year’s season playing off against each other
The most recent editions of the tournament have been held in Morocco, and the UAE (2020 and 2021). While previously Qatar, Brazil and Japan have also played host to the international sporting event in previous years.
Staging major events is a significant focus in Saudi Arabia’s strategy to develop its sporting industry. Earlier this year, The Kingdom was confirmed as host for the 2027 Asian Cup, the continent’s biggest soccer tournament that is held every four years.