The FIFA Club World Cup is a competition that has existed for a number of years. It is a surprise that it’s suddenly getting so much attention. It has been dominated by the European teams that participated for a while now. However, a wind of change might just be about to hit this trend. 

Real Madrid, last year’s winner of the Champions League, is back in the competition for the first time in three years. Flamengo representing South America are also in the mix, while Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal is also threatening to make a run. Stay put as we bring you the details of this competition and why it has suddenly caught the eye of the football world.

Teams Who Qualified For The 2023 FIFA Club World Cup

By standard, seven teams participate in the FIFA Club World Cup. The Host country presents its nation’s champion, while the six other teams are the club champions from each of the six continents. Here is the full list of teams that qualified for this competition. 

1. Africa; Wydad Casablanca (Morocco) Champions of the CAF competition, Al Ahly (Egypt) Champions League runner-up in CAF (Assigned berth for host nation)
2. Asia; Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), the AFC Champions League Winner
3. Europe;  Real Madrid (Spain) Winners of the UEFA Champions League
4. North America Seattle Sounders (USA) Winners of the CONCACAF Champions League
5. Oceania; Auckland City (New Zealand) Winners of the OFC Champions League
6. South America; Flamengo (Brazil) CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores winners

Competition Details And Venue 

This year’s FIFA Club World Cup has been entrusted to Morocco again as the host country. This is the second time they are hosting the competition since 2014. The competition is set to run from February 1-11. Seven knockout games are played within this period to crown another World Champion. 

Why Is This Tournament Getting Hype This Year?

One constant thing is change. FIFA is looking to shake things up pertaining to the format with which the competition is being played. They are looking to make things interesting by expanding the competition. 

• The idea which FIFA made known to the World in December 2022 was to expand the competition to a 32-team Club World Cup, which would begin in 2025 and be held every four years in the summer, like the World Cup for national teams. 
• They are about to increase the relevance of this competition by doing this, which is why it is getting the hype of late. 

Previous Results

The event’s first two rounds featured games between clubs from Africa, Oceania, Asia, and North America. At the semifinal stage, the European (Real Madrid) and South American champions (Flamengo) join the battle.

First Round: Al Ahly Vs Auckland City

The first round kicked off with Al Ahly of Egypt, who finished second in the CAF Champions League, easily defeating Oceania champion Auckland City of New Zealand by a score of three goals to nil to move on to the second round of the competition. This match was simply a walk in the park for the Egyptian side. 

Second Round: Seattle Sounders Vs Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca Vs Al Hilal

The second round saw first-round winners Al Ahly go up against North America Champions Seattle Sounders in a heated matchup. About three minutes to stoppage time, Al Ahly scored the lone goal of the game, which proved as the game-winner and secured their place in the semi-finals. 

The second round also had Moroccan Champions Wydad Casablanca play Saudi Arabia team Al Hilal. These teams competed fiercely and played out a 1-1 draw by the end of both regular and added time. It had to come to a penalty shootout which Al Hilal won 5-3. 

Semi Final: Al Ahly Vs Real Madrid, Flamengo Vs Al Hilal

Egyptian side Al Ahly were on a roll, but the result of their advancing to the semi-finals meant that they faced the giants of this competition, Real Madrid. Real Madrid, in their classic display, put four past Al Ahly while conceding once. Goals from Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo, and Sergio Arribas were enough to get the job done, although Madrid was without star players like Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois. 

Brazilian side Flamengo also went up against Saudi Arabia Al Hilal in the semi-finals. Flamengo went into this game as the favourite, but the game took a completely different turn. Al Hilal went on to win by a final score of three goals and two and will now play the four-time FIFA Club World Cup winner Real Madrid in the final. This will be the Saudi Arabian team’s first-ever Club World Cup final game.

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Previews And Predictions

Third Place: Al Ahly Vs Flamengo

Al Ahly might have been in the finals if they had not faced Real Madrid in the semi-finals. However, they are fighting for third place against Flamengo and seeing how Flamengo played in the semi-finals, it will take a lot of work to back the Brazilian side. The prediction for this game is both teams to score. Al Ahly has been playing with their heart and looks more determined than Flamengo; however, picking out the winner in this game will be pretty edgy. The odds for both teams to score, according to Stake.com, are 1.6 (decimal) and -167 (American). 

Final: Real Madrid Vs Al Hilal 

The Spanish giants, who have a record four Club World Cup victories, have a ton of experience in the competition and always seem to find a way to win. Al Hilal has done well as the dark horse of this tournament, but Real Madrid just simply has the edge with the experience and quality the team possess. The best value bet for this game is for both teams to score, we saw Real Madrid concede in their semifinal game, and we can’t ignore that Al Hilal offers a threat on offence. The odds for both teams to score, according to Stake.com, are 1.98 (decimal) and -102 (American). 

This year’s FIFA Club World Cup has delivered nothing short of exciting and nerve-wracking moments. The unexpected upsets have drawn more attention this time, and Real Madrid winning a fifth title in this competition caps it all. 

Follow Half A Goal for more news on FIFA competitions and football. 

What is more interesting in the world of football than derbies? The Copa del Rey quarter-final has the two teams in Madrid face off at the Santiago Bernabeu. We are sure of a high-intensity game with the rivalry between these teams. This game is tipped to be dramatic and probably vicious at one point or the other due to their history. Real Madrid will hope to avoid another defeat to an arch-rival after suffering a humiliating loss at the hands of Barcelona in an El Classico-dubbed Spanish Super Cup final. On the other hand, Atletico Madrid is focused on securing silverware this season with hopes of winning the league down the drain. 

Real Madrid’s latest news

Real Madrid is still probably traumatized by their latest El Classico loss. The 3-1 defeat they suffered at the hands of Barcelona was different because a trophy was at stake this time, and watching Barcelona win wasn’t the best of scenes for them. Their latest league outing saw them win 2-0 against Athletic Bilbao. They secured their spot at the Copa del Rey quarter-final in a dramatic way, as they had to come back from two goals down against Villareal to secure qualification. 

Has Karim Benzema regained form?

Despite winning the Ballon d’Or, the Frenchman has had a difficult season. He sustained an injury while practicing for the World Cup, preventing him from competing. Since then, he has experienced form issues. But he appears to be back to his best right now. His goal in Madrid’s most recent league game, a 2-0 victory over Athletic Club, was his sixth in as many games. The Frenchman must continue to perform consistently if Madrid wants to repeat their success from the previous season.

Latest transfer news

• Real Madrid is planning a summer swoop for England star Jude Bellingham. Madrid’s need of a new advanced midfielder to complement the skills of their young core of midfielders set to take over from the aging ones has made Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund a must-sign for them. Since Madrid has been in close communication with Bellingham’s entourage for the past few months, there is reportedly genuine optimism that they can secure his signature this summer.
• A summer bid for Dutch right-back Denzel Dumfries, valued at €40 million by Serie A powerhouse Inter Milan, would reportedly be Real Madrid’s top priority. Real Madrid has recognized the need to fill the gaps in their team, and the right-back position is one of them. Veteran Dani Carvajal has significantly underperformed this season, and Lucas Vazquez is not a long-term solution in that position.

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Atletico Madrid’s latest news

Atletico Madrid has had quite the season, full of ups and downs. They are currently thirteen points behind league leaders Barcelona. Atletico sits fourth in La Liga, tied with Villareal on points. Atletico is now holding up to a top-four finish this season as a realistic goal. Their last league encounter was a 3-0 win over Real Valladolid. They are now in the quarter-final of the Copa del Rey competition after easing past Levante in the round of 16. 

Is Memphis Depay the missing piece?

When he made his Atletico debut against Real Valladolid with 15 minutes remaining, the Dutchman who had just joined Atletico Madrid demonstrated his abilities and earned a standing ovation from the crowd. The cameo by Memphis was positive. Depay played an entertaining quarter of an hour despite only having two training sessions with his new teammates. The striker will be able to excel up front, move quickly behind the defense, and provide goal-scoring opportunities. His link-up play might be the key to unlocking the potential of Atletico’s attack.

Latest transfer news

• Deiver Machado, a left-back for RC Lens, has been named as a potential transfer target by Atletico Madrid. The Colombian star has particularly shone during the current season, aiding Lens’ ascent to second place in France’s premier division. The 29-year-old, who plays as a wing-back for Lens, has shown his offensive skills while being a reliable defender and is thought to be one of the top left-backs in Ligue 1.
• As the January transfer window closes, Atletico Madrid is eager to continue strengthening their team after acquiring Memphis Depay from Barcelona on Friday. This month, Atleti would ideally like to add another forward player to their roster; Nicolo Zaniolo is still possible. Roma will agree to a loan agreement that contains an obligatory buy option for €40 million, which would be paid in the summer.

Match details

Date: Thursday, January 26, 2023

Time: 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 21:00 Central European Standard Time

Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain

Match predictions and tips

We all know how derbies are, but this is no regular derby, as a spot in the Copa del Rey semi-finals is at stake here. Real Madrid is the obvious favorite in this game, and they have shown significant improvement since their loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup. With Karim Benzema looking at his best again, this is their game to lose. The Odds for Real Madrid to win are 1.95 (decimal) and -105 (American). 

However, Atletico Madrid can’t be counted out. The Copa del Rey might be their only shot at winning a trophy this season as they are already out of the Champions League, and winning La Liga is a long shot for them. Our pick here is for both teams to score. The odds for this pick stand at 1.87 (decimal) and -115 (American). 

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Surprisingly, these two teams that are about to play against each other have been struggling in recent games. Manchester City has failed to win their last two games, while Tottenham is battling with putting in consistent performances. Pep Guardiola’s team will look to regain their identity in this game, while Antonio Conte’s side hopes to find at least some motivation for his team. With both teams coming out of a derby defeat from their last league outing, we are sure of one intense game. Hold tight as we bring you the preview and most important predictions for this exciting football game.

Manchester City Latest News

Manchester City is in an odd position. They were shockingly knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Southampton, and now they head into this game off a derby defeat. Manchester City lost 2-1 to Manchester United in their last league outing. Manchester City, who took the lead via substitute Jack Grealish in the second half, fell to Manchester United’s two quick successive goals. The defeat was a massive blow to Manchester City’s title challenge, as the league leaders now have an eight-point lead.

Has Haaland’s Form Dropped?

While Pep Guardiola is taking all the blame for Manchester City’s drop in form, we can’t help but take a critical look at how his players are performing. Whatever tactical issue there is in City, it’s easy to identify that their target man’s form has also dropped. Erling Haaland already has twenty-one Premier League goals and has now failed to score in three straight games in all competitions. What’s alarming is that the Norwegian failed to register a shot on target in those three games.

Latest Transfer Rumors

• According to reports, Manchester City is expected to finally secure the signature of Maximo Perrone from Velez Sarsfield soon. Perrone is a defensive midfielder who has attracted interest from Premier League clubs such as Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United. Pep Guardiola has persuaded the Argentine to join him at the Etihad. City is thought to have paid £6.5 million for Perrone.

• According to sources, it will cost any team €120 million to capture the defender Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig; therefore, Manchester City will have to compete with Chelsea and Real Madrid for his services. Gvardiol, who in the summer agreed to a one-year extension with Leipzig that will keep him with the club until 2027, is reportedly a target for Manchester City, particularly in light of his exceptional World Cup exploits for his nation in Qatar.

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Tottenham Hotspur’s Latest News

Tottenham was comfortably in the top four before the World Cup break. However, since the league returned, they have been struggling with consistency. Antonio Conte’s side’s last Premier League game was against Arsenal in a North London derby, and with the way they played, it’s surprising they just lost by only two goals to nil. Arsenal took over the game from the start, and one obvious thing was Tottenham Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris’ struggles between the stands. Arsenal’s first goal was due to his error. 

Conte Due For A Tactical Change? 

Pundits believe Conte has all it takes to succeed and the only thing that might be holding him back is the style of play he’s known for, “three at the back.” After signing Richarlison, Yves Bissouma, Cristian Romero, Ivan Perisic, Clement Lenglet, Djed Spence, and Fraser Forster in the summer, it’s difficult to say the board has not done their part to back Conte. He has at his disposal one of the top five strikers in the World, Harry Kane, so it’s a surprise the club still struggles to score goals. A tactical change is seen as idea supporters are clamoring for as well.

Latest Transfer Rumors

• Conte is eager to work with Denzel Dumfries again after their productive time at Inter Milan. Due to his excellent performances for the Netherlands at the World Cup in Qatar, the Dutch defender has drawn attention. The 26-year-old Dutch defender is reportedly the subject of negotiations between Manchester United and Inter over a £35 million transfer, but Spurs may try to rush in and hijack the deal.

• Leandro Trossard, a player for Brighton, made it known that he wanted to leave the Amex Stadium, and Tottenham has since “verbally offered” him $14 million. Brighton is reportedly seeking $25 to $30 million for the playmaker. Given what Trossard has accomplished for Brighton, signing the Belgian for less than $20 million would be, at worst, a wise gamble for Spurs.

Match Details

Date: Thursday, January 19, 2023

Time: 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England

Match Predictions And Tips

Despite how both teams have been playing lately, Manchester City is the obvious favorite in this game. Guardiola expects a reaction from his players, which we will see on Thursday when they face Tottenham. Tottenham has some work to do, and after such an abysmal performance against Arsenal, I don’t see them troubling City much. City is backed to win here as they hope to take advantage of United dropping points on Wednesday. The odds for Manchester City to win stand at 1.36 (decimal) and -275 (American)

We have a special pick for our bettors: City to score more than two goals. They have scored at least two goals in eight of their last nine games and average 2.55 goals per game in the league. Also, take note of the Spurs’ 27 goals allowed in the EPL thus far this year. The odds for City Over 2.5 goals are 2.20 (decimal) and 120 (American).

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