As Manchester City gear up Tuesday's semi-final at the FIFA Club World Cup, taking part in the competition for the first time, here’s everything you need to know about the tournament.
What is the FIFA Club World Cup?
The tournament is held at this time every year, involving the winners of FIFA’s six continental confederations.
Man City have qualified because they won last season’s UEFA Champions League, becoming the kings of Europe.
They have now earned the chance to take on the clubs who won the equivalent competitions for Asia, Africa, South America, North and Central America, and Oceania.
In addition, the host country is represented at the tournament by their own league champions, so the Saudi Pro League winners Al-Ittihad are the seventh team battling for the prestigious title of the best club team in the world.
The 2023 tournament will be the last under the current format. It is being expanded to 32 teams and will take place every four years, starting in 2025. There will be no 2024 competition.
When does the 2023 competition start?
It’s actually started already! Al-Ittihad played a first-round match against Auckland City last Tuesday and won 3-0, with N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema and ex-Liverpool midfielder Fabinho in their line-up.
Two clubs then entered the competition for the second round, which was played on Friday. Egypt’s Al Ahly beat Al-Ittihad 3-1, and Japanese team Urawa Red Diamonds beat Mexican side Club Leon 1-0.
Where do Man City fit in?
Man City now join in for the semi-finals, along with Brazilian club Fluminense, who beat Al Ahly 2-0 on Monday. City take on Urawa Red Diamonds on Tuesday at 18:00 GMT.
The final will be played on Friday, and there is a third-place playoff on the same day.
City can make history in Saudi Arabia by becoming the first English club to win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup in the space of 12 months.
What about Man City’s Premier League match?
Man City were due to host Brentford next weekend, but that fixture has been postponed.
They are next in Premier League action on Wednesday 27 December, when they travel to Everton.
How have Premier League clubs fared in the past?
This is the 20th edition of the competition, and it will be the sixth time that there is a Premier League club involved.
All five of the previous contenders reached the final, and three won the trophy. Every final has been won by a single goal.
| Year | Club | Final |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Liverpool | Lost 1-0 v Sao Paulo |
| 2008 | Man Utd | Won 1-0 v LDU Quito |
| 2012 | Chelsea | Lost 1-0 v Corinthians |
| 2019 | Liverpool | Won 1-0 v Flamengo aet* |
| 2021 | Chelsea | Won 2-1 v Palmeiras aet* |
*after extra time
How has Pep fared in the past?
Guardiola has been involved in the FIFA Club World Cup three times, and he has won it on every occasion.
His Barcelona team lifted the trophy in 2009 and 2011, and he then won it again with Bayern Munich in 2013.
Can anyone stop Man City?
If City win their semi-final then Fluminense are waiting in the final.
The FIFA Club World Cup has been won four times by clubs from Brazil, second only to Spain’s eight successes.
Four the five finals played by Premier League teams have been against Brazilian opposition.
Liverpool lost to Sao Paulo in 2005 and Chelsea were defeated by Corinthians in 2012, while Liverpool beat Flamengo in 2019 and Chelsea overcame Palmeiras in 2021.