African champions Al Ahly have paved the way for a potential clash with Saudi Arabia’s Ittihad Jeddah in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup.
Al Ahly, participating in their fourth consecutive Club World Cup and ninth overall, secured their spot after emerging victorious in the 2023 CAF Champions League final against Wydad Casablanca.
As reigning African champions, Al Ahly will kick off their World Cup campaign in the quarter-finals, where they are poised to face the Saudi Arabian champions, Ittihad Jeddah.
Ittihad Jeddah will first compete against OFC Champions Auckland City, with the winner advancing to face Al Ahly in the second round of the competition.
If Al Ahly progresses, they will then go head-to-head with the victors of the 2023 Copa Libertadores, a team yet to be determined.
On the other side of the bracket, CONCACAF champions León of Mexico will square off against Asian champions Urawa Red Diamonds in the second round. The winner of this match will meet Manchester City in the semi-finals.
Scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia from December 12 to December 22, 2023, this edition of the tournament marks the final seven-team Club World Cup before the competition expands to 32 teams in 2025.
Al Ahly aims to reach the finals of the Club World Cup for the first time, following their previous achievements of claiming the bronze medal in 2006, 2020, and 2021. In their most recent appearance, the team secured fourth place, recording victories against Auckland City and Seattle Sounders but suffering defeats to Real Madrid and Flamengo.
