Fluminense and Egypt’s Al Ahly face off this Monday afternoon (3 p.m. Brasília time, 1 p.m. ET) at King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in a FIFA Club World Cup semifinal.
The Egyptian club is very familiar with this competition. Al Ahly won its 11th African title, and this is its ninth Club World Cup appearance. Despite being a veteran of the tournament, the African side has never reached the final and hopes to change that by beating the Brazilian newcomer.
Fluminense, meanwhile, arrived in Saudi Arabia full of confidence. The tournament debutant is coached by former player Fernando Diniz, who also leads the Brazilian national team and is expected to field the same lineup that beat powerhouse Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores final.
The other semifinal pits Urawa Reds against Manchester City on Tuesday, December 19, at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah (3 p.m. Brasília time, 1 p.m. ET). The matchup features European champion Manchester City and Urawa Reds, the reigning Asian Champions League winners.
City, led by Pep Guardiola, widely considered the best coach in the world, takes the field with several key absences. The English club’s biggest question mark is striker Erling Haaland. The team’s top scorer this season is recovering from a bone stress injury in his foot. In addition, Jérémy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne are confirmed absences for the match. Guardiola may field a rotated lineup and City would still be heavy favorites; the Manchester club is simply loaded.
Urawa Reds, despite winning the AFC Champions League title in May, haven’t had their best season. The ACL triumph couldn’t erase the team’s slump down the stretch, especially after Hiroki Sakai’s injury.
In the J.League, the team finished fourth, losing third place to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the second-to-last round. Its record was 15 wins, 12 draws and 7 losses, and Maciej Skorża’s side managed just 2 wins in its last 5 matches.
In the first semifinal, sportsbooks favor the Brazilian side: (Fluminense 1.98; draw in regulation 3.40; Al Ahly 4.40, decimal odds)
In the second semifinal, sportsbooks have the English side as heavy favorites: (Manchester City 1.20; draw 6.90; Urawa Reds 14.50, decimal odds)
The 2023 Club World Cup isn’t just a soccer tournament; it’s a global celebration of diversity, healthy competition and sportsmanship. As the curtain falls, fans are already eagerly awaiting the next chapter, which will come a year from now. The Club World Cup remains an event that transcends borders, uniting the world around a shared love for the most-watched sport on the planet.
