By Can Erozden
ANKARA (AA) – The 2023 FIFA Club World Cup will start on Tuesday as Saudi Arabia's Jeddah will be hosting the 20th edition.
Hosts and defending Saudi champions Al-Ittihad will play against New Zealand's Auckland City, the reigning OFC Champions League winners, in the first round at Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
The Club World Cup opener between Al-Ittihad and Auckland City will kick off at 1800GMT.
The FIFA-organized annual international club competition will end with the final on Dec. 22.
England's Manchester City (UEFA Champions League winners), Brazil's Fluminense (Copa Libertadores champions), Japanese club Urawa Reds (AFC Champions League winners), Egyptian club Al Ahly (CAF Champions League winners), and Mexico's Club Leon (CONCACAF Champions League winners) are the other 2023 Club World Cup competitors in Jeddah.
Real Madrid, the Club World Cup record holders with five titles, will be unable to defend their title in Saudi Arabia as eventual winners Manchester City eliminated the Spanish giants in the UEFA Champions League semis last season.
Founded in 2000, the Club World Cup has been held every year since 2005.
The current format of the tournament involves seven teams from six confederations and will change after Saudi Arabia 2023.
FIFA previously said that the US will host a first-ever 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in 2025 as a prelude to the men's 2026 FIFA World Cup.