You are here

  • Home
  • 2023 FIFA Club World Cup sets new tournament records in Jeddah

2023 FIFA Club World Cup sets new tournament records in Jeddah

2023 FIFA Club World Cup sets new tournament records in Jeddah
1 / 3
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)
2023 FIFA Club World Cup sets new tournament records in Jeddah
2 / 3
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)
2023 FIFA Club World Cup sets new tournament records in Jeddah
3 / 3
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)
Short Url

https://arab.news/wm777

Updated 25 December 2023
Khaled Al-Arafah
Follow

2023 FIFA Club World Cup sets new tournament records in Jeddah

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
Updated 25 December 2023
Khaled Al-Arafah
Follow

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.

Topics: FIFA World Cup Club 2023 Manchester city Fluminense

Related

Festive period marks first anniversary of Cristiano Ronaldo kickstarting Saudi football revolution
Saudi Football
Festive period marks first anniversary of Cristiano Ronaldo kickstarting Saudi football revolution
Man City cruise past Fluminense in Club World Cup final to lift fifth trophy in 2023
Saudi Football
Man City cruise past Fluminense in Club World Cup final to lift fifth trophy in 2023

Coach says Neymar is not ready for an imminent return to Al-Hilal

Coach says Neymar is not ready for an imminent return to Al-Hilal
Updated 25 September 2024
AP
Follow

Coach says Neymar is not ready for an imminent return to Al-Hilal

Coach says Neymar is not ready for an imminent return to Al-Hilal
Updated 25 September 2024
AP

RIYADH: Neymar is not ready for an imminent return to play for Al-Hilal, the club’s head coach has announced.
The Brazilian star signed for the Riyadh team in August 2023 but played just five games when he underwent surgery after rupturing his meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee while on international duty in October.
After Neymar, 32, returned to training in July, speculation grew that he was close to a return but coach Jorge Jesus dampened expectations in a post-match media conference.
“Neymar is an important player for Al-Hilal and the league in general,” Jesus, who led Al-Hilal to a 19th league title in May, said on Tuesday. “I can’t, however, specify a date as to when he will return but we will look at the situation in January.”
Neymar will be able to be registered by Al-Hilal in January for the second half of the Saudi Pro League (SPL ) season.
With SPL teams allowed to register a maximum of eight foreign players over the age of 21, Neymar’s place in the roster for the first half of the league campaign was taken by Marcos Leonardo, signed from Benfica earlier in September.
Upon return to fitness Neymar, whose two-year contract ends next August, is eligible, however, to appear in Al-Hilal’s ongoing AFC Champions League Elite campaign as the continental competition has no restrictions on the number of foreign players allowed.

Topics: Saudi Arabia al-hilal fc Neymar

Riyadh Season sponsors Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal’s upcoming TV channel

Riyadh Season sponsors Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal’s upcoming TV channel
Updated 25 September 2024
Arab News
Follow

Riyadh Season sponsors Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal’s upcoming TV channel

Riyadh Season sponsors Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal’s upcoming TV channel
  • Head of General Entertainment Authority says channel, due to launch by end of year, will include exclusive programming including interviews, daily reports and match coverage
  • It will expand Al-Hilal’s international reach in 200 countries served by streaming platform DAZN and ‘generate significant revenue’ for the club, adds Turki Alalshikh
Updated 25 September 2024
Arab News

RIYADH: Riyadh Season is sponsoring Al-Hilal’s soon-to-launch TV channel on the global sports and entertainment streaming platform DAZN, the chairperson of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh, has revealed.

As part of the agreement, Riyadh Season will oversee content on the new channel, to help deliver a unique experience for fans and enhance the club’s profile in the international media landscape.

Alalshikh said the channel will feature exclusive programming, including interviews, daily reports on training sessions and coverage of friendly matches.

“In addition to this channel expanding Al-Hilal’s reach, from Japan to the United States, through DAZN’s presence in 200 countries around the world, it will also generate significant revenue for Al-Hilal through commercial advertising on the channel or direct contracts,” he added.

“DAZN is now also looking into sponsoring Al-Hilal, which is no surprise given Fahad bin Nafel’s success as one of the most accomplished club presidents globally. Riyadh Season seeks success and has become a strategic partner in this sports channel, which is something Riyadh Season takes pride in.”

Saudis living abroad, as well as the club’s wider Arab and global fanbase, will greatly benefit from the partnership agreement, Alalshikh continued.

“We don’t have specialized channels similar to international club channels, so this is a great opportunity to achieve that, especially with a global partner focused on success,” he said.

“This comes at a time when we have achieved great success in boxing and other events, and I am confident that Al-Hilal’s fanbase subscribing to the platform could reach up to 2 million people.”

He added out that similar opportunities are available to all Saudi teams: “Any club interested in collaborating with DAZN through Riyadh Season is more than welcome.”

The agreement was signed in London by bin Nafel and Kacy Grine, the president of DAZN for the Middle East and North Africa.

Grine said: “We are proud to work with Al-Hilal, one of the biggest clubs in the world, and with Riyadh Season, which has become a global symbol of entertainment and sports.

“This partnership offers Al-Hilal fans a unique experience and will allow us to tell inspiring stories about a club that continues to make history.”

The channel is expected to launch before the end of the year. Al-Hilal are the reigning Saudi Pro League champions and the most decorated club in the country.

Topics: Al-Hilal Dazn

Related

Al-Hilal stroll past Al-Ittihad in top of the table Clasico clash
Sport
Al-Hilal stroll past Al-Ittihad in top of the table Clasico clash
Joao Cancelo scores for Al-Hilal in win over Al-Rayyan in Asian Champions League
Sport
Joao Cancelo scores for Al-Hilal in win over Al-Rayyan in Asian Champions League

Saudi football legends celebrate National Day with fans

The thrilling encounter featured renowned Saudi football icons. supplied
The thrilling encounter featured renowned Saudi football icons. supplied
Updated 24 September 2024
SALEH FAREED
Follow

Saudi football legends celebrate National Day with fans

The thrilling encounter featured renowned Saudi football icons. supplied
  • The match saw a team representing Al-Owairan face off against a squad led by Nour
  • In front of around 2,000 football enthusiasts, the two teams engaged in a fierce contest. Both sides struggled to convert their chances in the first half
Updated 24 September 2024
SALEH FAREED

Jeddah: On the occasion of Saudi Arabia’s 94th National Day, football legends captivated fans at the Olympic Stadium with an exhibition match in front of hundreds of fans in Jeddah.

Held on Monday, Sept. 23, the thrilling encounter featured renowned Saudi football icons such as Saeed Al-Owairan, who scored one of the greatest goals in FIFA World Cup history, helping Saudi Arabia reach the knockout phase in US 1994; Mohammed Nour, former Al-Ittihad and Saudi international player; Naif Hazazi; Hatim Khaimi; Malek Mouath; Emirati star Omar Abdulrahman, and more.

The match saw a team representing Al-Owairan face off against a squad led by Nour.

In front of around 2,000 football enthusiasts, the two teams engaged in a fierce contest. Both sides struggled to convert their chances in the first half.

However, after the break, Al-Owairan’s team dominated, ultimately winning the friendly match with a score of 6-4.

Anas Serafi, the event organizer, emphasized that the National Day celebration in Saudi Arabia symbolizes unity and national pride. “This is a special day, and we are proud to bring here the stars of Saudi Arabia who made many achievements locally and internationally,” he said. “Around 30 of the most celebrated legends in Saudi football from various teams responded to our call to express their love for their country on the field.”

Saudi national striker Malek Mouath, who helped send the Kingdom to the 2007 Asian Cup final, expressed his excitement about sharing the pitch with some of the sport’s greatest names on such an important day. “This is very exciting, to meet some of my friends again on the football pitch," he said. "It is so nice to see so many Saudi football stars come together to celebrate National Day,” he said.

Organizers and players also took a moment to extend their well-wishes to Saudi national player Fahad Al-Muwallad, who is currently unconscious in intensive care in Riyadh, wishing him a swift recovery.

Topics: FIFA World Cup 2034 94th Saudi National Day Saudi National Team

Related

Art, music, fireworks shows on for Saudi National Day celebrations
Saudi Arabia
Art, music, fireworks shows on for Saudi National Day celebrations
Snap launches ‘Kingdom’s Lenscape’ campaign for Saudi National Day
Media
Snap launches ‘Kingdom’s Lenscape’ campaign for Saudi National Day

National Day celebrations see start of Kingdom’s most historic football competition

National Day celebrations see start of Kingdom’s most historic football competition
Updated 22 September 2024
Arab News
Follow

National Day celebrations see start of Kingdom’s most historic football competition

National Day celebrations see start of Kingdom’s most historic football competition
  • Saudi and international players will be busy with King’s Cup action over the next three days
Updated 22 September 2024
Arab News

RIYADH: As the Kingdom celebrates its National Day, its footballers, both local and international, will this year turn their attentions to Saudi Arabia’s oldest and most iconic competition, the King’s Cup.

On Sept. 23, 2023, the first Saudi National Day to be celebrated since the influx of foreign superstars to the nation’a top clubs, the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane and many others marked the occasion by dressing in traditional Saudi attire and posting the results on their socials media accounts.

The display of inclusivity was hailed in Saudi Arabia as a sign that these players, some of the world’s finest arriving from Europe’s top clubs, were embracing their new lives in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and beyond.

This year, Al-Hilal have released a video celebrating the day which includes, among other players, Brazilian stars Neymar and Malcom.

Meanwhile, ahead of their Saudi Classico with champions Al-Hilal on Saturday night, Al-Ittihad’s official account on X posted a image showing the team’s superstars Benzema and N’Golo Kante in national dress and holding up swords.

But on Monday, thoughts will turn to the serious business of the Round of 32 of the King’s Cup, with a full program of fixtures being completed on the following two days.

Perhaps it is appropriate that the day of celebrating Saudi achievements will see nationwide action in the historic competition that allows the country’s less heralded clubs the chance to cause an upset against the elite of the Saudi Pro League.

The pick of the matches on Sept. 23 is perhaps the visit of Ronaldo and Al-Nassr to Al-Hazm, the team that was relegated from the top tier at the end of last season. Al-Nassr will be hoping to go one better than last season when they lost the final to Al-Hilal

Jeddah giants Al-Ahli will welcome Al-Jandal to Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, while Ettifaq will host Al-Adalah club in Dammam. Also taking place are Al-Fayha against Al-Batin and Al-Tai against Khaleej Club.

On Tuesday, the current holders of the King’s Cup and reigning SPL champions Al-Hilal begin their defence of the trophy with a visit to Al-Bukiryah, where an upset will go down as one of the biggest in the history of Saudi football.

Al-Ittihad will hope to bounce back from their 3-1 defeat to Al-Hilal in th Saudi Classico with an expected win over Al-Ain in Jeddah, while Al-Shababwill travel to fellow SPL club Al-Kholood. Rounding up the days matches will be Al-Jabalan against Al-Fateh

The line-up for the Round of 16 of the competition will be completed on Wednesday four matches: Al-Najma vs. Daman, Abha vs. Al-Taawoun, Al-Safa vs. Al-Riyadh and Jeddah Club vs. Al-Raed.

Each of the fixtures have a clear underdog hoping to cause the shock of the round, and in some cases produce the finest result in their history.

Topics: Saudi Arabia Saudi King’s Cup

Related

Beyond the pitch: Star quality, strategic vision put Saudi Pro League on global stage
Saudi Arabia
Beyond the pitch: Star quality, strategic vision put Saudi Pro League on global stage
Kingdom is the future of football, says global legend Yaya Toure video
Saudi Arabia
Kingdom is the future of football, says global legend Yaya Toure

Al-Hilal stroll past Al-Ittihad in top of the table Clasico clash

Al-Hilal stroll past Al-Ittihad in top of the table Clasico clash
Updated 22 September 2024
John Duerden
Follow

Al-Hilal stroll past Al-Ittihad in top of the table Clasico clash

Al-Hilal stroll past Al-Ittihad in top of the table Clasico clash
Updated 22 September 2024
John Duerden

Al-Hilal defeated Al-Ittihad 3-1 in the Saudi Clasico on Saturday to make it four wins from four and move three points clear above the visitors at the top of the Saudi Pro League standings.

It was all too easy for the defending champions as they were three goals up by the end of the first half, in what was an ominous performance for the rest of the league. Red-hot striker Aleksandar Mitrovic scored goals seven and eight this season before Salem Al-Dawsari put it beyond the Jeddah team with an exquisite strike.

While Al-Hilal had won all of their last seven games against Al-Ittihad in all competitions, such a comfortable victory was not expected, as this was not only the first Saudi Clasico of the season, but also a highly anticipated meeting between a top two in great form. With Ettifaq losing 3-0 to Al-Nassr on Friday, the two teams were the only ones left with maximum points, and something had to give in the capital. Before Saturday, Al-Ittihad had been looking very good, indeed, and had enjoyed plenty of rest. But it was not enough.

Al-Hilal, who went to Qatar midweek to defeat Al-Rayyan in the first game of the AFC Champions League Elite, made the early running, roared on by their fans. In just the third minute they were ahead. Ruben Neves floated over a perfect cross from the right and there was Mitrovic at the far post to send a perfect header into the net. The former Fulham forward has been on fire this season.

It was not the start that Al-Ittihad wanted but it got worse 10 minutes later. Brazilian fullback Renan Lodi went over in the area, the referee pointed to the spot and Mitrovic fired home goal number eight of the season. The task for Al-Ittihad became even harder eight minutes before the break but even the impressive number of away fans in Riyadh must have appreciated the third goal.

Al-Dawsari advanced down the left, entered the area and then flicked the ball over Predrag Rajkovic in beautiful fashion. It was a goal from a player at the top of his game playing for a team that simply does not lose. Al-Hilal have won 19 league titles and do not give up three-goal leads. From that impudent strike, it was just a question as to what the scoreline would be.

At halftime, Laurent Blanc had much to do, but the Frenchman is not the first Ittihad boss to struggle against Al-Hilal. Ittihad’s record against their blue rivals has become a real concern. In 24 clashes since 2016, the Tigers had won just one and lost 18. All players present for Ittihad on Saturday knew that winning would be a huge statement to the rest of the league and, indeed, to themselves and their fans. Now the number is 19 losses.

The second half was not quite as dramatic as the first. Al-Dawsari headed over from a good position but Hilal did not seem to be too concerned about getting a fourth.

It was Al-Ittihad who scored next even if it was too little, too late, as it came four minutes from the end. Moussa Diaby, who recorded four assists last week, broke free down the middle and squared the ball left to Karim Benzema, who side-footed the ball into the net for his fifth goal of the season so far. The Frenchman scored once more deep into injury time but it was ruled out by the referee.

In the end, it was a straightforward victory for the Riyadh giants, though the biggest positive for Al-Ittihad and the rest of the league is that there is still much more — and plenty of excitement — to come.

Topics: Al-Hilal

Latest updates

What to know about the growing conflict between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah
What to know about the growing conflict between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah
KSrelief delivers Gaza humanitarian Aid to Jordan
KSrelief delivers Gaza humanitarian Aid to Jordan
Adam Scott hopeful of ending 21 years without playing on a winning Presidents Cup team
Adam Scott hopeful of ending 21 years without playing on a winning Presidents Cup team
Wolfsburg cruise into Women’s Champions League group stage
Wolfsburg cruise into Women’s Champions League group stage
Osaka cruises through opening round at China Open with new coach
Osaka cruises through opening round at China Open with new coach

Search form

Print Edition
Read pdf version Subscribe now
© 2024 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.