Only one spot remains at December’s FIFA Club World Cup in Saudia Arabia after five clubs have confirmed their right to join Oceania champions Auckland City at the tournament.
The latest club to qualify for the glamour tournament are Manchester City, following their win in the UEFA Champions League.
The only remaining spot awaits whichever club is crowned champions of South America.
Teams already qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup are:
- Auckland City, New Zealand (Oceania champions)
- Al-Ittihad, Saudi Arabia (hosts)
- Urawa Red Diamonds, Japan (Asia champions)
- Club Leon, Mexico (North & Central America/Caribbean champions)
- Al Ahly, Egypt (African champions)
- Manchester City (European champions)
The seventh and last qualifier will be decided on November 4, when the final of the 2023 Copa Libertadores is held, deciding which club will represent South America.
The draw will bring together Auckland City and hosts Al-Ittihad in a sudden-death tie, expected to be played on December 12.
If City win, they’ll face one of the clubs that enter at the second round stage, including Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds, Egypt’s Al Ahly and Mexico’s Club Leon.
The two survivors of the second round go into the semi-finals against Manchester City, and whichever side represents South America.
The December tournament will be the last in its current form, switching from its seven-team format to a 32-team four-yearly tournament in 2025.
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Saudi Arabia offered to host the 2023 tournament, for the first time, as part of their bid to win hosting rights for the 2030 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
The 2022 competition was held in Morocco, with the previous five finals held in either the United Arab Emirates or Qatar.
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Main photo: Auckland celebrate winning the 2023 Champions League, earning qualification for the FIFA Club World Cup. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
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