List of Saudi Clubs' Participations in the FIFA Club World Cup

The FIFA Club World Cup is an international football tournament introduced by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), first held in 2000 in Brazil, and features the champions of the continental confederations. Over the years of the tournament, three Saudi clubs have participated: Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Hilal. Al-Nassr was the first Saudi club to take part in the tournament in 2000 in Brazil. Al-Ittihad participated twice, in 2005 and 2023. Al-Hilal achieved the highest accomplishment by a Saudi club in the tournament when it finished as runner-up in the 2022 edition.

Al-Nassr’s participation in the FIFA Club World Cup

The first FIFA Club World Cup was held in 2000, with eight clubs participating. The tournament followed a group stage format with two groups, where the first and second of each group advanced to the semifinals. Among the prominent teams that took part in this edition were Real Madrid, Manchester United, the Brazilian clubs Corinthians and Vasco da Gama, Raja Casablanca of Morocco, and Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia. Al-Nassr qualified for the tournament after winning the Asian Super Cup in 1998 against Pohang Steelers, who had won the Asian Club Championship. Al-Nassr competed in the Asian Super Cup after being crowned champion of the Asian Cup Winners’ Cup.

In the FIFA Club World Cup, Al-Nassr was placed in Group A alongside Real Madrid, the Brazilian club Corinthians, and Raja Casablanca of Morocco. The first match ended with a three-to-one loss to Real Madrid, with Al-Nassr’s goal scored by Fahad Al-Harifi.

Al-Nassr won its second match against Morocco’s Raja Casablanca with a score of four goals to three. The goals were scored by Fuad Anwar, Ahmed Bahja, Fahd Al-Harifi, and Moussa Saïb.

In the third round of the group stage, Al-Nassr faced the Brazilian team Corinthians in a match that ended in a two-to-nil loss, leading to Al-Nassr's exit from the tournament in the group stage.

Al-Ittihad Club’s participation in the FIFA Club World Cup

After a four-year hiatus, the FIFA Club World Cup returned in 2005 with a new format, in which the champions of Europe and South America advanced directly to the semifinals. Al-Ittihad represented Asia in the tournament, which was held in Japan, after winning the 2005 AFC Champions League title. The draw placed the two Arab teams, Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad and Egypt's Al-Ahly, against each other in the first round of the tournament. Al-Ittihad secured a victory and advanced to the semifinals with a single goal scored by Mohammed Noor.

In the semifinals, Al-Ittihad played against São Paulo, the Brazilian champion of the Copa Libertadores, and lost with a score of three to two. Al-Ittihad’s two goals were scored by Mohammed Noor and Hamad Al-Montashari. Al-Ittihad then played the third-place match against Saprissa, the CONCACAF champion, and lost the game three to two. Al-Ittihad’s goals were scored by Mohammed Kallon and Joseph-Désiré Job. Al-Ittihad finished fourth in the tournament.

Al-Ittihad also participated in the tournament for the second time in 2023 as the host of the event. The team opened its first match at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium (currently Al-Inma Stadium) against Auckland City of New Zealand, and the match ended with a three-to-nil victory for Al-Ittihad. In the second round, Al-Ittihad faced Al-Ahly of Egypt and lost three to one, resulting in Al-Ittihad’s exit from the tournament.

Al-Hilal Club’s participation in the FIFA Club World Cup

Al-Hilal Club participated in the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time in 2019, hosted by Qatar, after winning the AFC Champions League. In the first round, the team played against Espérance Sportive de Tunis and won with a single goal. Al-Hilal then faced Flamengo, the South American champion, in the second round but lost three to one. The team then played for the bronze medal against Monterrey of Mexico. After the match ended in a two-two draw in both regular and extra time, Monterrey defeated Al-Hilal in a penalty shootout, placing Al-Hilal fourth in the tournament.

Al-Hilal’s second participation was in the 2021 tournament held in the United Arab Emirates. The team began in the quarterfinals against Al-Jazira of the UAE and won six to one, advancing to the semifinals to face Chelsea of England, where it lost one to nil. Al-Hilal then played the third-place match against Al-Ahly of Egypt and lost four to nil.

Al-Hilal participated for the third time as the reigning AFC Champions League titleholder in the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup. In the quarterfinals, the team faced Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, the African champion, and won in a penalty shootout after the match ended in a one-one draw in regular and extra time. Al-Hilal played against Flamengo of Brazil in the semifinals and won three to two, advancing to the final against Real Madrid of Spain. However, Al-Hilal lost the final five to three and finished in second place, earning the silver medal.

Al-Hilal will participate for the fourth time in its history in the FIFA Club World Cup as the champion of the 2021 AFC Champions League. The first edition of this expanded tournament will be held from June 15 to July 13, 2025, with the participation of thirty-two teams instead of seven. Al-Hilal’s group includes Real Madrid of Spain, Red Bull Salzburg of Austria, and Pachuca of Mexico.

Number of Participations by Saudi Clubs