Benzema can meet Man City in the Club World Cup final

According to the draw results on September 5, Al Ittihad will meet the Oceania champion, Auckland City, in the first round. If they win, Benzema and his teammates will enter the second round against African champions, Al Ahly. The remaining second round tie will be played between CONCACAF regional champions Club Leon and Asian champions, Urawa Red Diamonds.

In the semi-finals, the winner of the Club Leon - Urawa Red Diamonds pair will meet the European champion, Man City. Meanwhile, the winner of Al Ittihad's bracket will meet the South American champion. The South American champion has not yet been determined, because the Copa Libertadores - the highest football playground in this region at the club level - only played until the semi-finals.

The 2023 FIFA Club World Cup will take place from December 12 to 22, in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. The tournament brings together the champions of six regions and the home team Al Ittihad. This is the first time Saudi Arabia has hosted the FIFA Club World Cup.

If they reach the final this year, Al Ittihad will repeat the achievements of compatriot Al Hilal. Last year, as Asian champions, Al Hilal surprised the South American champions, Flamengo with a score of 3-2 in the semi-finals. In the final, they lost 3-5 to Real Madrid. Real Madrid holds the record for winning the FIFA Club World Cup with five titles.

Man City prepares to attend the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time. In 2023, the Etihad Stadium team won four titles including Champions League, FA Cup, Premier League and European Super Cup.

In the semi-finals of the Champions League 2021-2022, Benzema scored three goals against Man City. The 35-year-old French striker moved to Al Ittihad this summer, after liquidating his contract with Real Madrid a year early. In nine games for the new team, Benzema has scored five goals.

Last season, without recruiting Benzema, Al Itiihad won the Saudi Pro League. They won 72 points after 30 matches, five points more than the second-placed team, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr. Meanwhile, Al Hilal ranked third with 59 points.

Round one:

Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) - Auckland City (New Zealand)

Second round:

Al Ahly (Egypt) - Al Ittihad/Auckland City

Club Leon (Mexico) - Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)

Semifinal:

South American Champion - Al Ahly/Al-Ittihad/Auckland City

Leon/Urawa Red Diamonds - Man City (England)