Saudi Arabia has been selected to host the 2023 Club World Cup in December, FIFA announced on Tuesday.
The FIFA Council unanimously voted for the Saudi Arabian Football Federation to stage the event, which includes the six continental champions plus the host's national champions.
The tournament will take place from Dec. 12-22.
Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz al-Faisal stated: “We are proud of hosting the event and welcome the strongest football teams in the world and their fans, both in the Kingdom and abroad.”
He added that Saudi Arabia’s continued hosting of global sports events is credited to the “unprecedented support from our wise leadership and the direct interest of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.”
“Today, the Kingdom is taking a significant step forward in its transformation on the level of football. We trust that everyone will experience the progress that has been achieved in our nation on all levels,” he stressed.
President of the Saudi Football Federation and FIFA member Yasser Al-Misehal said: “Saudi football is witnessing unprecedented growth and has become the focus of the world in credit to our wise leadership and great support from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.”
He thanked FIFA for the opportunity for Saudi Arabia to stage the Club World Cup, pledging to deliver an “exceptional” edition of the tournament.
Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia was selected by the Asian Football Confederation to host the 2027 Asian Cup.
The country has previously hosted sporting events including this year's Spanish Super Cup, 2022's world title fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua and the Riyadh Grand Prix.
The FIFA Council meeting also confirmed changes to the structure of the Club World Cup, with approval for an expanded 32-team tournament from 2025.
UEFA will have 12 places and CONMEBOL six, while CONCACAF, CAF and the AFC will each have four, with one place for the OFC and another for the hosts.
The FIFA meeting also confirmed that the United States, Mexico and Canada will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup as joint-hosts of the tournament, with their places being deducted from CONCACAF's overall allocation of six.
