FIFA Club World Cup 2023 Preview: Odds, Dates, Teams & How To Watch

Tuesday 5th September saw the draw made for the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.

In this handy guide we provide you with all of the information you need for this year's tournament, from who is participating to which team are favourites to be crowned champions of the World.

What is the FIFA Club World Cup?

Seven teams battle to be crowned world champions in this annual competition. The host nation's national champions, along with the winners of the leading competition from each of the six populated continents, are entered into a straight knock-out tournament.

The host nation's champions face the Oceania representatives for the right to join the Asia, Africa and North America champions in the quarter-finals stage.

The European and South American title-holders automatically join during the semi-finals.

This will be the tournament's final edition in its current format before it's expanded to 32 teams from 2025 onwards.

When is the FIFA Club World Cup?

This year's tournament begins on 12th December and runs for 10 days until 22nd December.

Where is the FIFA Club World Cup?

The 2023 edition is being held in Saudi Arabia for the first time ever.

Since the inaugural tournament in Brazil in 2000, Japan has been the tournament's host more than anyone else, with eight series taking place there.

The United Arab Emirates have hosted the competition on five occasions, while Morocco and Qatar have welcomed teams to their countries three and two times respectively.

Which Teams Are In the FIFA Club World Cup?

Currently, five teams have booked their place in the 2023 tournament.

New Zealand's Auckland City won the Oceania Champions League and will meet Saudi Arabian national champions Al-Ittihad in the first round.

In the second round, Asian Champions League winners Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan will face off with CONCACAF Champions League winners Leon from Mexico.

Meanwhile, CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly FC from Egypt will play the winner of the first round tie between Auckland City and Al-Ittihad.

Manchester City were the latest team to qualify, having won their very first Champions League title against Internazionale in Istanbul back in June, and await their semi-final opponent of either Urawa Red Diamonds or Club Leon.

We now await the winners of the Copa Libertadores to be announced to complete the seven teams participating. That tournament concludes on 4th November.

Which Teams Have Won the Competition?

Real Madrid are the current holders and record winners of the tournament, boasting five titles in its 23-year history.

• 2000: Corinthians
• 2001: No tournament
• 2002: No tournament
• 2003: No tournament
• 2004: No tournament
• 2005: São Paulo
• 2006: Internacional
• 2007: Milan
• 2008: Manchester United
• 2009: Barcelona
• 2010: Internazionale
• 2011: Barcelona
• 2012: Corinthians
• 2013: Bayern Munich
• 2014: Real Madrid
• 2015: Barcelona
• 2016: Real Madrid
• 2017: Real Madrid
• 2018: Real Madrid
• 2019: Liverpool
• 2020: Bayern Munich
• 2021: Chelsea
• 2022: Real Madrid

What Do We Know About the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Format?

The original Club World Cup format is being altered to be played once every four years from 2025 and will include an expanded 32 teams from the usual seven.

Europe's Confederation, UEFA, has 12 of the allocated 32 slots available. Each of the winners of the Champions League from 2021 to 2024 qualify, meaning that Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City already have earned their places.

The remaining eight slots will go to teams with the best overall coefficient across the qualification period.

Elsewhere, the host nation takes a spot, as does the continent of Oceania. There will each be four slots open to North America, Asia and African teams, while there will be six South American clubs featured.

It is expected to take place in June and July 2025 and will be played in the United States of America FIFA have confirmed.