The meeting between the Egyptians of Al-Ahly and the New Zealanders of Auckland City on Wednesday in Tangier marks the kick-off of the Club World Cup organized in Morocco, while waiting for Real Madrid to enter the competition a week later .
Al-Ahly, vice-champion of Africa last season beaten by Wydad Casablanca, is the club that has won the most African Champions Leagues, with ten coronations. Auckland City is also the most successful club in the Oceania Champions League, with ten crowns.
The winner of this meeting will then face the American club Seattle Sounders on Saturday in Tangier, which won its first CONCACAF Champions League in May 2022.
A first for the communication of arbitration decisions
The team that wins this match will then be opposed in the semi-finals to Real Madrid, holders of the Champions League, on February 8 in Rabat. The Spanish club, already the record holder for victories in the event, has the opportunity to win a fifth Club World Cup after 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
In the other part of the table, the Moroccans of Wydad Casablanca, crowned in the CAF Champions League, and the Saudis of Al-Hilal, holders of the Asian Champions League, will compete on Saturday in Rabat for the right to meet in the semi-final on February 7 in Tangier the Brazilians of Flamengo, who won their third Copa Libertadores last October.
This competition will see referees explain VAR decisions to the public for the first time. While communications between the central referee and those in charge of video assistance will remain confidential, the conclusion of their discussion will be made public.