2023 FIFA Club World Cup sets new tournament records in Jeddah

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Manchester City's English defender #02 Kyle Walker lifts the trophy after the FIFA Club World Cup final football match between Brazil's Fluminense and England's Manchester City at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on December 22, 2023. (AFP)
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Manchester City team celebrate with their winning trophy at the end of the FIFA Club World Cup 2023 football final match against Brazil's Fluminense at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah on December 22, 2023. (Photo by Giuseppe Cacace / AFP)
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Football teams' flags hang at the Fifa Club World Cup Fan Village in the Saudi Red Sea resort town of Jeddah on December 20, 2023. (AFP)
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Updated 25 December 2023
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2023 FIFA Club World Cup sets new tournament records in Jeddah

  • Record crowds attended the opening matches with an all-time tournament high of 50,000 watching the opening game between Al-Ittihad and Auckland City at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium

JEDDAH: The 20th edition of the FIFA Club World Cup, hosted by Saudi Arabia in Jeddah from Dec. 12 to 22, set several new records for the tournament.

The competition featured thrilling games among the participating teams and was attended by fans from around the world.

This year’s edition was marked by a special stamp in the passports of travelers arriving in the Kingdom through King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah as part of an initiative carried out by the Kingdom’s sports and interior ministries.

And English Premier League side Manchester City became the latest team to lift the trophy.

Record crowds attended the opening matches with an all-time tournament high of 50,000 watching the opening game between Al-Ittihad and Auckland City at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

International media coverage of the cup contest was also at its highest levels with 444 journalists in attendance for games at King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal stadiums.

Fan zones at the grounds and other sites in Jeddah also proved popular with visitors.

Al-Ittihad’s French star Karim Benzema became the first player to score in four different editions of the FIFA Club World Cup, while Manchester City player Julian Alvarez’s first-minute strike in his team’s 4-0 final victory against Fluminense of Brazil, set the record for the fastest goal in the history of the tournament.

City’s Spanish coach Pep Guardiola became the most successful football manager in terms of winning the title, with his fourth success. And Al-Ahly from Egypt won the bronze medal for the fourth time.


Kanno brace sends Saudi Arabia through while Morocco, Palestine stay on course

Updated 05 December 2025
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Kanno brace sends Saudi Arabia through while Morocco, Palestine stay on course

  • Mohamed Kanno scored twice as Saudi Arabia came from a goalless first half to defeat Comoros

DOHA: Saudi Arabia booked their place in the FIFA Arab Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over tournament debutants Comoros on Friday, while Morocco remained on course for the knockout stages despite being held by Oman.

Mohamed Kanno scored twice as Saudi Arabia came from a goalless first half to defeat Comoros and finish top of their group.

The debutants had threatened an early breakthrough when Affane Said Djambae headed wide in the 20th minute, a miss they would rue.

Deep into stoppage time, a goalkeeping error allowed Salem Al-Dawsari to tee up Kanno for a powerful header, before the pair combined again shortly after the break for Saudi Arabia’s second.

Comoros briefly reignited hopes through Ibroihim Djoudja, but Al-Dawsari sealed the win with a superb solo effort.

Earlier, ten-man Morocco played out a scoreless draw with Oman in Al-Rayyan to retain top spot in Group B.

Captain Abderrazzaq Hamdallah went closest before being sent off early in the second half, but Oman were unable to capitalize on their numerical advantage.

Thursday’s action saw late drama once again shape Group A.

Palestine struck in the closing stages for a second straight game to earn a crucial 2-2 draw against Tunisia, leaving them level with Syria at the top of the standings.

Zaid Qunbar, who scored the equalizer, was named player of the match.

Syria also left it late, with Omar Khribin’s stoppage-time goal earning a 1-1 draw with hosts Qatar and keeping qualification finely balanced heading into the final group fixtures.