KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi owners will be in familiar Arab territory when the new European champions reach out for the FIFA Club World Cup later this year.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has confirmed a green light from the world governing body for it to play host to the annual tournament in Jeddah, from December 12 to 22.

Jeddah staged the Spanish Super Cup in 2020 and has been approved by an inspection team from FIFA which followed up the initial award of the world club championship to Saudi Arabia last February.

The inspection covered the King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal stadiums, as well as proposed training and accommodation facilities.

Yasser Al Misehal, president of the SAFF, followed through on the Saudis’ sports-focused promotional campaign by saying: “Sport is a key driver of the current Saudi Arabia’s transformation process under Vision 2030, which has established the Kingdom as one of the most exciting and fastest growing countries in world sport.

“We believe that hosting international competitions such as the FIFA Club World Cup provides an opportunity to further grow football and inspire both existing and new fans, while showing the world the hospitable culture and Saudis have enormous passion for football.”

Real Madrid won the 2022 Club World Cup which was played this past February in Morocco. This year’s tournament will continue in similar format with seven clubs, the champions of each confederation plus the host.

########