Saudi Arabia has been chosen to host the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time, from 12-22 December.
The announcement comes three days after Real Madrid won the trophy in Morocco after a thrilling 5-3 win over Al-Hilal, the first Saudi club to reach the final of the tournament.
Saudi is only the sixth host since the competition began in 2000.
The country’s sports minister said hosting the tournament signaled “our desire to be a force for good.” Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in sporting events in recent years, but has been accused of using events to “whitewash” its reputation.
The country has been criticized by organizations such as Amnesty International and Reprieve for its human rights record. Earlier this month, co-hosts Australia and New Zealand asked FIFA to “urgently clarify” reports that Saudi Arabia’s tourism authority would be named as the official sponsor of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
A deal with Visit Saudi to be announced has been criticized by human rights groups.
Amnesty said in a statement on Tuesday: “FIFA has once again flouted Saudi Arabia’s cruel human rights record. “Immediately after the award of the tourism site Visit Saudi as a sponsor of the Women’s World Cup, the Kingdom announced that it would host the Club World Cup, without regard to freedom of expression, discrimination or workers’ rights.”
It added that FIFA was “complicit in blatant sportswear.”
His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal previously told BBC Sport that he believes the country will face increasing global criticism. Announcing the Club World Cup, he said: “We are honoured and delighted to have the opportunity to welcome the world’s leading football clubs and their fans to Saudi Arabia.
“Many fans will have recently seen our ability as a nation to compete on the pitch at the highest possible level. Now we have the chance to prove that we are world-class hosts away from it.
“This is another important step on our journey of transformation in football and as a country, and I trust that all stakeholders will see with their own eyes the undeniable progress at many different levels. “We host international sports for the simple reason that we truly believe in the power of sport to inspire our boys and girls to make new connections and build new relationships.”
FIFA plans to change the format of the tournament to 32 teams from June 2025 and hold it every four years – with 12 teams from Europe participating. Saudi Arabia is also reportedly planning a joint bid with Greece and Egypt to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
“This is another important step on our journey of transformation in football and as a country, and I trust that all stakeholders will see with their own eyes the undeniable progress at many different levels.
“We host international sports for the simple reason that we truly believe in the power of sport to inspire our boys and girls to make new connections and build new relationships.”
FIFA plans to change the format of the tournament to 32 teams from June 2025 and host it every four years – with 12 participating teams from Europe. Saudi Arabia is also reportedly planning a joint bid with Greece and Egypt to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
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