Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — A delegation from the Fédération Internationale De Football Association (FIFA) has visited Saudi Arabia to follow up on the preparations to host the 2023 Club World Cup.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has received the FIFA delegation, which arrived in the Kingdom on a three-day inspection visit. The delegation evaluated the facilities at stadiums designated to host the tournament, which will take place from December 12 to 22, 2023.

The inspection team has toured King Fahad International Stadium, Prince Faisal bin Fahad Stadium and King Saud University Stadium.

The FIFA delegation has also paid a visit to the training facilities in Riyadh.

The FIFA delegation's current visit is considered the first among a series of visits to Saudi Arabia to check on the sports facilities and the tournament preparations.

The fact that Saudi Arabia is organizing Club World Cup for the first time reflects the great development witnessed by the Kingdom's sports sector in general and football in particular, which enjoys generous support from the country's wise leadership, in addition to the constant follow up and care from the Ministry of Sports, Ibrahim Al-Qassem, secretary-general of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, has confirmed.

He said the Saudi Arabian Football Federation aspires for more cooperation with FIFA in a way that contributes to organizing an exceptional version of the tournament.

Saudi Arabia seeks to provide an ideal experience for football lovers of all ages, in addition to providing an opportunity for them to watch competitive matches between the best clubs of the world, Al-Qassem said.

He pointed out that hosting of the 2023 Club World Cup tournament will be a tribute to the continuous development witnessed by Saudi Arabia, its rich culture, the hospitality that distinguishes its people and their passion for football.