Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has introduced a new format of the Saudi Super Cup 2023 with the participation of four teams for the first time.

The draw held on Saturday put Al-Ittihad in confrontation with Al-Nasr in the first match, while Al-Fayhaa will meet Al-Hilal in the second match.

The matches will be played in Riyadh from Jan.24 to Jan. 29, 2023.

The Federation decided earlier to adopt the new system for the tournament, by holding it from 3 matches, instead of one match, so that it starts from the semifinal round.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup champion and the event’s runner-up, and the champion and runner-up of the Professional League will qualify for the Super Cup.

Al-Hilal holds the title of the last version of the Saudi Super Cup for 2021, after its victory over Al-Faisaly in the final match via the penalties.

Al-Hilal is the most crowned with its three titles, while Al-Nasr is the only team to have won the title in two consecutive seasons.

In 2019 and 2020, Al-Ittihad participated in two editions of the tournament and was unsuccessful in winning it.

This year’s edition represents the first participation of Al-Fayhaa in the cup’s history.