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.


Al-Ahli win again to climb to second in Saudi Pro League table

Updated 25 January 2026
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Al-Ahli win again to climb to second in Saudi Pro League table

  • The reigning Asian champions continued their recent improved domestic form with a 3-0 win at Neom

DUBAI: Al-Ahli on Saturday night continued their hot streak of form to climb to second in the Saudi Pro League table with a comfortable 3-0 away win against 10-man Neom.

The latest victory means the reigning AFC Champions League winners have now won seven league matches in a row and sit on 40 points from 17 matches, four points behind leaders Al-Hilal and three ahead of third-placed Al-Nassr. However, the two Riyadh teams are yet to play in Matchday 18.

After a scoreless first half, Al-Ahli took the lead from an Ivan Toney penalty on 55 minutes before Neom were left with a mountain to climb after the defender Khalifa Al-Dawsari was sent off six minutes later.

Riyad Mahrez and Enzo Millot confirmed a dominant win for Al-Ahli with two quick-fire strikes in the 64th and 67th minutes. Neom’s defeat sees them drop to 10th in the standings.

Earlier in the day, struggling Al-Shabab’s troubles continued when they could only manage a 0-0 draw against 10-man Khaleej Club, leaving the clubs in 14th and eighth respectively in the table.

In Saturday’s other fixture, two second-half goals by Khalid Al-Ghannam helped Ettifaq to a 2-1 win against Al-Kholood in Ar Rass, after Ramiro Enrique had given the home team a 16th-minute lead.

The win sees Ettifaq rise to sixth in the table while Al-Kholood remain in 12th.