Manchester City is set to make their inaugural appearance in the Club World Cup’s semi-finals, where they will face either Urawa Red Diamonds or Club Leon.
The Citizens secured their spot in the competition after a triumphant victory in the Champions League final against Inter Milan, seizing a historic treble in the 2022-23 season by claiming the Premier League and FA Cup titles as well.
Pep Guardiola’s formidable side has automatically advanced to the semi-final stage alongside the eventual winners of the Copa Libertadores, which could be Fluminense, Internacional, Boca Juniors, or Palmeiras.
In addition to the South American champions, Manchester City will face the Champions League winners from four different federations and Al-Ittihad, the champions of Saudi Arabia, who is hosting this year’s event.
The draw has revealed that Manchester City’s semi-final opponents will be the victors of the second-round match between Urawa Red Diamonds, the three-time AFC Champions League winners, or Club Leon, the Mexican debutants who earned their spot by clinching their maiden CONCACAF Champions League title last season.
Urawa Red Diamonds are determined to surpass their previous Club World Cup performance, where they were eliminated in the second round by Al-Jazira in 2017.
Meanwhile, Club Leon will eagerly embark on their first-ever Club World Cup campaign after their remarkable conquest of the CONCACAF Champions League.
On the other side of the bracket, Al-Ittihad will square off against Auckland City, the holders of the OFC Champions League, in the first round. The winner of this encounter will then face the Egyptian champions, Al Ahly, in the second round.
The victorious team from the Al Ahly vs. Al-Ittihad/Auckland City clash will subsequently meet the triumphant Copa Libertadores winners in the semi-finals.
The 20th edition of the Club World Cup is scheduled to take place from December 12 to December 22.
