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      ‘Make it make sense’, rant fans after realising Liverpool and Arsenal WON’T be at 2025 Club World Cup.. but Chelsea will

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      CHELSEA and Manchester City have earned a spot at the 2025 Club World Cup.However, Premier League title-chasers Liverpool and Arsenal are yet to feature on the line-up.Chelsea will feature at the 2025 Club World CupCredit: GettyThe Blues won the competition in 2021Credit: GettyThe Club World Cup will be expanded to 32 teams for the first time in the competition’s history next year.Teams are selected from six confederations across the world including AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONCACAF (North and Central America and Caribbean), CONMEBOL (South America), OFC (Oceania) and Uefa (Europe).The competition’s four previous winners have also been invited to take part.That means Chelsea, who were crowned champions in 2021, will feature.Read More in FootballThe Blues have struggled to compete in the Premier League over the last two years despite spending over £1billion on player transfers.They finished 12th in the table last season and currently sit 11th with 12 games left to play.As a result of last season’s poor results Chelsea also failed to qualify for Europe, leaving many fans baffled as to why they will be allowed to take part in the Club World Cup.One football fan took to X to write: “Liverpool & Arsenal not playing but Chelsea playing.. the 32 teams Club World Cup is outlandishly embarrassing. Chelsea isn’t even in Europe.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL “How tf does it make sense?”Another questioned: “This is f***ing stupid, why is Chelsea playing?”Who could be Chelsea’s next manager after Pochettino?While a third wrote: “Snuck in Chelsea like we won’t notice 😂.”Man City have also qualified for the Club World Cup next year.Pep Guardiola’s side won the competition at the end of 2023 after clinching the Treble.Among the other clubs that have already qualified are Bayern Munich, PSG, Inter Milan, Auckland City, Palmeiras and Seattle Sounders.The Club World Cup will be expanded to 32 teams next yearCredit: AFP More

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      ‘What criteria did they use?’ – Fans baffled to discover Premier League flops already qualified for Fifa Club World Cup

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      FANS have been left baffled after Chelsea were announced as qualifiers for the expanded 2025 Fifa Club World Cup.The tournament is set to undergo a big shake-up next year with 32 teams involved. Chelsea have qualified for the expanded 2025 Fifa Club World CupCredit: GettyAnd surprisingly, Chelsea will be one of them, joining the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG. One fan reacted to the news, saying: “Why are Chelsea there.”Another said: “Chelsea finished 10th but still going to the Club World Cup.”One added: “What is the criteria for qualification?”READ MORE IN football Another agreed: “How did Chelsea qualify? What qualification criteria did FIFA use?”Despite mass fan confusion, Fifa confirmed that Champions League winners from 2021-2024 qualify for the tournament. And Chelsea lifted the European cup under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel only three years ago. Winners of “each confederation’s premier club competition” also qualify, explaining Bayern Munich and PSG’s presence. Most read in Football2025 Fifa Club World Cup teams so far

      𝐀𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀
      Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco)Al Ahly SC (Egypt)
      𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐀
      Al Hilal SFC (Saudi Arabia)Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)
      𝐄𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄
      Chelsea (England)Real Madrid (Spain)Manchester City (England)Bayern Munich (Germany)PSG (France)Inter Milan (Italy)Porto (Portugal)Benfica (Portugal)
      𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇/𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀
      CF Monterrey (Mexico)Seattle Sounders FC (United States)Club Leon (Mexico)
      𝐎𝐂𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐀
      Auckland City FC (New Zealand)
      𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀
      SE Palmeiras (Brazil)CR Flamengo (Brazil)Fluminense FC (Brazil)

      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMore info will be announced throughout 2024 — including the trophy, host cities, and the draw.But for now, the first 19 sides have been announced, with a further 13 to be added.Astrid Wett boycotting Chelsea matches after she is ‘spat at’ despite ‘being one of club’s biggest fans’ The new 32-team tournament format will take place every four years with an extended international break merging the current September and October slots to facilitate the changes.City – last season’s Champions League winners – are the current holders. More

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      World Cup final venue revealed with never-seen-before element for showpiece after beating rival stadiums

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      THE 2026 World Cup final is now set to be played indoors — after Fifa chiefs agreed Dallas’ AT&T Stadium will host the biggest game in football.Tournament chiefs will confirm more details about the first 48-team World Cup next month following a meeting in London this week.
      The 2026 World Cup will take place in America, Canada and MexicoCredit: AP
      The final of the tournament will take place at the AT&T Stadium in DallasCredit: GETTY
      SunSport has been told that the home of the Dallas Cowboys has beaten New York’s MetLife Stadium to host the showpiece.
      The Texan city will also be the main base for Fifa — rather than the other options of New York and Miami.
      Fifa is aiming to complete the 72-game group phase in 15 days, meaning up to five matches back to back in the first two rounds of games, with all teams guaranteed four days’ rest.
      But it remains unclear if identifying the eight third-place sides to go through to the knock-out phase will see Fifa split the tournament into two distinct halves to ensure sufficient rest for all teams.
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      The revised World Cup will feature a whopping 104 matches.
      The controversial and drastic change to the tournament format – which will be held in Mexico and Canada as well as the USA- was revealed by Fifa chiefs.
      A statement said: “Based on a thorough review that considered sporting integrity, player welfare, team travel, commercial and sporting attractiveness, as well as team and fan experience, the Fifa Council unanimously approved the proposed amendment to the Fifa World Cup 2026 competition format from 16 groups of three to 12 groups of four.
      With the top two and eight best third-placed teams progressing to a round of 32.
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      Gianni Infantino has claimed the 2026 World Cup will ‘change the balance in football’Credit: GETTY
      “The revised format mitigates the risk of collusion and ensures that all the teams play a minimum of three matches, while providing balanced rest time between competing teams.”
      After the confirmation of the hosts for the competition, Fifa bigwig Gianni Infantino said: “Congratulations for the qualification of Mexico, Canada and the United States, who already qualified for this [FIFA] World Cup last week through the FIFA Council’s decision.
      “But in addition to those three, three more Concacaf teams will qualify for sure, and possibly even five.”
      President Infantino added: “This next World Cup in North America is going to be the World Cup of America.
      “It’s going to be the World Cup that will change the balance in football, because we are going to focus our work in this part of the world.” More

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      Fifa’s Club World Cup new format is crazy – elite players are being asked to perform too much already

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      NOT so much flogging a dead horse, but we are definitely flogging our finest footballers.The Club World Cup, you may have noticed, was won by Manchester City in Saudi Arabia this month.
      Manchester City won the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia this monthCredit: Rex
      But while it involved only seven sides, including mighty Auckland City and Urawa Red Diamonds, next time it will be 32. This is crazy.
      There is almost universal agreement that  elite players are being asked to perform too much already and yet Fifa wants to expand the Club World Cup to 32 teams in summer 2025.
      The expansion has been criticised by Fifpro, the global union for professional players, as well as the World Leagues Forum, which represents pro leagues.
      Both have raised concerns about player welfare.
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      La Liga, the Spanish top flight, has come down hard on this latest wheeze and we should do the same.
      And the 2026 World Cup is expanding from 32 to 48 nations.
      It’s the same elsewhere, as the Champions League is getting ever bigger. From next season it will involve 36 clubs, all playing in a single league with eight group games.
      The top eight will qualify for the last-16 knockout stage, while those ranked 9th to 24th can still make it through a play-off.
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      The Champions League is expanding next yearCredit: AP
      In a nutshell, you can finish 24th in a league and still win the goodies at the end of the season.
      Maybe increasing the Champions League from 32 to 36 teams isn’t too much, but then you have the European Championships as well for national teams. Euro 2024 will involve 24 teams.
      There is also the 2024-25 Nations League, with games being played next autumn and the finals in June 2025.
      Hang on, I hear you ask, isn’t that when the Club World Cup will be held as well? Erm, yes…
      Confused? You should be.
      Uefa say the expanded Nations League is there to “minimise meaningless friendlies”, but how many of you could recall who won it in 2019, 2021 and 2023?
      Most of us understand you need top players performing at the biggest and best competitions but where does all this end? The Premier League is very clear. There are 38 games spread over ten months.
      The old First Division was over 42 games and I would argue the reduction has led to improved  quality levels.
      By the start of January, West Ham will have played 28 games across all competitions (joint third-highest in the Prem).
      I haven’t even begun to think how many games on top of this our international stars have played.
      So, what Uefa and Fifa are suggesting is squeezing the pips until they squeal.
      Top footballers already have to spread themselves too thinly and the danger is that injuries will multiply.
      I hear some of you say “fair enough, they are very highly paid”. But we want to see the best football, played by the best players on the best occasions?
      Read more on The Sun
      The Club World Cup, Champions League, World Cup, Euros, Nations League — it’s too much.
      Precious diamonds are priceless because of their rarity. This ever-expanding land-grab suggests football’s governing bodies know the price of everything and the value of nothing. More

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      Man City WILL wear gold 2023 Fifa World Champions badge on shirts despite Liverpool being banned after 2019 victory

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      MANCHESTER CITY will be allowed to wear the 2023 FIFA World Champions badge on all three kits this season following their Club World Cup victory.Pep Guardiola’s side cruised to a 4-0 win over Fluminense in the Club World Cup final on Friday.
      Man City won the Club World Cup on FridayCredit: Getty
      They will now be allowed to wear the Club World Cup badge on their shirtsCredit: Getty
      As a result they added a fifth trophy to this year’s impressive haul, having already won the treble and UEFA Super Cup.
      And the Cityzens will now be able to show off their latest achievement with a special badge.
      Club World Cup champions are allowed to wear a gold badge on their shirts until the next winner is crowned.
      Man City will be doing so with immediate effect, meaning they will complete a small kit change ahead of next Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Everton.
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      However, Liverpool were banned from making the change after they won the Club World Cup back in 2019.
      The Reds defeated Flamengo 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Roberto Firmino.
      But they had to wait until the following season to wear the badge.
      Premier League rules at the time stated that kit changes could not be made during the season.
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      However, the ruling was later changed and Chelsea were given permission to wear the badge immediately after winning the competition in 2021.
      Following City’s 4-0 win over Fluminense, Guardiola admitted that it was time to “close the chapter”.
      He said: “We had the feeling we would close the chapter, we won all the titles, there’s nothing else to win.
      “I had a feeling the job was done, it was over.
      “Enzo [Maresca] helped us to win the treble, Mikel [Arteta] in my staff, all the players from day one. Vincent [Kompany] to Kyle [Walker] as captains, all the players helped us to achieve something incredible to be here and to play this tournament.
      “Now it’s Christmas time, buy another book and start to write it again. The last eight years, it’s over.” More

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      Man City 4-0 Fluminense LIVE RESULT – Club World Cup final: Pep’s side crowned world champs & bag fifth honour of 2023

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      MANCHESTER CITY have beaten Fluminense 4-0 in Saudi Arabia to claim the Fifa Club World Cup.The Cityzens took the lead after just 40 seconds through Julian Alvarez’s instinctive finish.
      An own goal from Nino doubled City’s lead on 27 minutes after Phil Foden’s effort was deflected past Fabio.
      The academy graduate did get his goal after he tapped in from close range to make it 3-0 in the second half before Pep Guardiola was dealt a huge blow as midfield stalwart Rodri was forced off with an injury.
      Julian Alvarez finished off proceedings with his second and City’s fourth as the English side took home their fifth honour of 2023.

      Match result: Man City 4-0 Fluminense
      Man City team: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake, Rodrigo, Lewis, Bernardo, Foden, Grealish, Alvarez
      Fluminense team: Fabio, Samuel Xavier, Nino, Felipe Melo, Marcelo, Andre, Martinelli, Jhon Arias, Ganso, Keno, Cano

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      Man City are FIFA Club World Cup champions
      For the first time in their club’s history Pep Guardiola’s side win the Club World Cup.
      The celebrations will continue long into the night in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
      Having won their first ever Champions League title last season, they have now ticked off another first.
      Credit: Getty
      The winner takes it all
      Man City have been crowned FIFA Club World Cup winners.
      Their dominant 4-0 victory of Fluminense tops off a perfect 2023 as they add it to the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in the trophy cabinet.
      Pep Guardiola wins the competition with his third team, further confirming him as one of the greatest managers in football.
      Credit: AFP
      Walker kicks off at final whistle
      As the players shook hands after Man City’s comprehensive win, something happened between Filipe Melo and Kyle Walker.
      The two players had to be separated as sparks flew.
      Whatever was said, both players saw the red mist and there was certainly no love lost between the pair.
      Credit: Getty
      Credit: Getty
      City will be concerned of Rodri injury
      Despite the celebrations this evening, there will be huge concerns for the fitness of Rodri.
      He seemed to twist his knee in a really unnatural way, with many fearing ligament damage as a result.
      Rodri tried to continue but collapsed to the ground soon after.
      As he came off, the player’s reaction seemed to suggest that he thought it was not good news for him.
      Credit: Getty
      Routine day in the office for Pep
      Guardiola is going around, congratulating every member of Man City staff here at pitch-side.
      It shows the personality of the man as he knows how integral everyone is to the collective cause.
      Despite having won this trophy twice before, he seems to be enjoying this one as he wins it for the first time in the club’s history.
      Credit: Getty
      Get your Phil of trophies
      At 23-years-old, Phil Foden has won his sixteenth trophy as a Man City player, an unbelievable achievement.
      What will mean more to Foden right now is the more game time he getting during these campaigns.
      He has been on form for City this season and integral to a lot of their wins with some big players out injured.
      Credit: Getty
      FT: Man City 4-0 Fluminense
      It is good to see these different continents do battle but the reality is the strength of the Premier League is no contest.
      All too often in this competition, these games are always damage limitation against the European sides.
      Man City won’t care, they have added another trophy to the cabinet in Jeddah this evening.
      Credit: Getty
      FT: Man City 4-0 Fluminense
      The referee puts the South Americans out of their misery.
      Towards the end of the game, they just had nothing in the tank.
      It is a deserved win for Man City, they huge trophy haul of 2023 continues.
      Man City 4-0 Fluminense
      90. As the cross comes in, Alvarez controls it then dummies a shot to sidestep the defender.
      He then gets a right-footed shot away which nestles into the bottom corner of the goal.
      Man City have equalled the highest score in this Club World Cup final, scored by Guardiola’s Barcelona some twelve years ago.
      Goal – Julian Alvarez (Man City)
      Man City 3-0 Fluminense
      88. The Brazilian side have done well to get to this final.
      They were never expected to win their own championship and surprised many last season.
      Getting here was one thing, going toe to toe with Man City was just one step too far for them.
      Man City 3-0 Fluminense
      86. This has been a comfortable win for Man City.
      Despite their huffing and puffing, Fluminense have not really tested Guardiola’s side in the final third.
      This will be the third club Pep Guardiola has won this trophy with.
      Man City 3-0 Fluminense
      84. Kennedy is shown a yellow card for a foul on Nunez.
      As the Man City player goes down he smashes into another defender.
      Seems a painful one for the midfielder as his head strikes the Fluminense player.
      Man City 3-0 Fluminense
      82. Phil Foden comes off for Man City after picking up a knock.
      Nunes and Bobb comes on for Ake and Foden.
      Guardiola looking to rotate his side now in these closing stages.
      Man City 3-0 Fluminense
      80. Kennedy does well outside the box, weaving in between the defenders.
      He lets a shot go from distance which Ederson has to tip over the crossbar.
      Good play by the young Brazilian.
      Man City 3-0 Fluminense
      78. It was always going to be an uphill struggle for the Brazilians.
      Conceding that early Alvarez goal made it so much more so.
      There is a noticeable gulf in class between the sides.
      Credit: AFP
      Man City 3-0 Fluminense
      76. Fluminense come forward once again.
      A cross is swung into the box but Cano cannot get a head on it.
      Man City come forward themselves with Bernardo Silva having a shot at goal but slices across it and sends it into the side netting.
      Man City 3-0 Fluminense
      74. Akanji and Gvardiol come on for Rodri and Stones.
      The Spanish defensive midfielder is shaking his head as he comes off.
      Man City will have to get some tests done on that knee to see if that injury keeps him out at all.
      Man City 3-0 Fluminense
      72. Alvarez does well on the left-hand side of the box.
      He drills a ball across goal, which is met by the slide of Foden.
      Great goal by Man City.
      Meanwhile, Rodri has collapsed to the ground, he does not look in a good way.
      Goal – Phil Foden (Man City)
      Man City 2-0 Fluminense
      70. Rodri seems to be in some severe pain for Man City as the physios treat him.
      He is back to his feet but shaking his head.
      Pep Guardiola will not want to lose the Spaniard for any length of time.
      Credit: Getty
      Man City 2-0 Fluminense
      68. Fluminense break down the right once again.
      Lima crosses into the box but Ederson reads it well to gather.
      Brief glimpse of goal for the South Americans.
      Alexsander is booked for a heavy challenge where he follows through on Rodri.
      Man City 2-0 Fluminense
      66. As the South Americans try to press in the final third, Man City counter attack at pace with Silva.
      Kennedy runs the length of the pitch to chase him down.
      Great energy from the young striker.
      Man City 2-0 Fluminense
      64. Fluminenese are continuing to battle in all fairness to them.
      Grealish is penalised for a push in the back of Samuel Xavier.
      Lima does brilliantly on the byline and finds Kennedy but he cannot work a shooting opportunity.
      Man City 2-0 Fluminense
      62. Kovacic comes on for Rico Lewis.
      Pep Guardiola must be reading these posts.
      Man City swing a corner in and it is met by the head of Stones but he cannot direct it towards goal. More

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      Man City vs Fluminense LIVE – Fifa Club World Cup final: Treble winners aim for history as they take on Brazilian giants

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      MANCHESTER CITY will face Brazilian giants Fluminense in the final of the Fifa Club World Cup TONIGHT!The Treble winners easily brushed aside Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-finals, beating the Japanese side 3-0.
      Manchester City beat Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-finalCredit: GETTY
      An own goal from Marius Hoibraten and strikes from Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva helped City secure their spot in the final without goal machine Erling Haaland.
      Pep Guardiola’s side put aside their recent rocky Premier League form and are in pole position to take home their fifth honour in 2023.
      Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense beat Al Ahly 2-0 to book their place in the last two.
      When is Man City vs Fluminense?

      Man City vs Fluminense will take place TONIGHT – Friday, December 22nd.
      Kick off will be at 6pm GMT.
      King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia will host.

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      What TV channel is Man City vs Fluminense on and can it be live streamed?

      Man City vs Fluminense will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1.
      You can live stream the Fifa Club World Cup final on discovery+.
      Alternatively, you can keep up to date with all the action by following SunSport’s live blog.

      Team news
      Manchester City will be definitely without the trio of Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Kevin de Bruyne despite travelling with the Man City squad to Saudi Arabia.
      The three are unavailable due to Fifa rules forbidding any player who did not feature in the semi-final matchday squad from playing in the final.
      Julian Alvarez started on the bench for the semi-final, with Pep Guardiola opting to play without a recognised striker, but the Spaniard could bring in the Argentine for the final.
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      Meanwhile, five-time Champions League winner Marcelo will likely feature for the Brazilians.
      What are the odds?
      Match result

      Man City – 1/4
      Draw – 9/2
      Fluminense – 8/1

      To lift the trophy

      Man City – 1/7
      Fluminense – 4/1

      *Odds courtesy of William Hill and are correct at the time of publication. More

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      Why is Erling Haaland not allowed to play in the Club World Cup final?

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      ERLING HAALAND is set to miss out on Manchester City’s FIFA Club World Cup final clash against Fluminese – but not because of an injury.Pep Guardiola’s Treble winners thumped Japanese outfit Urawa Red Diamonds to book their spot in tonight’s showdown.
      Manchester City cruised into the finalCredit: Getty
      City was impressive as they did it without their goal-machine Haaland who missed out due to a foot issue.
      And just as it seemed the Norweigian was in with a chance of returning to the fold.
      A bizarre FIFA rule has ruled Haaland out from playing – along with teammates Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku.
      Why is Erling Haaland not allowed to play in the Club World Cup final?
      FIFA rules state that no player who was left out of the 23-man squad squad for the semi-final can play any future matches in the competition.
      Read more on Club World Cup
      And due to Haaland being omitted from the Urawa Red Diamonds contest, he cannot feature in the final against Fluminese.
      It means this will be the fifth consecutive match Haaland has missed after being ruled out for Luton, Red Star Belgrade and Crystal Palace before the Club World Cup.
      Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku are also set to miss out on what could be a momentous occasion in City’s history for the same reason.
      What has been said?
      Pep Guardiola prefers to focus on the players he does have for the final and highlighted how important this match is for Manchester City.
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      Speaking after the semi-final win, Pep said: “The players know how important it is for the club.
      “To be in this final, you have to do incredible things like win the Champions League. This may be the only time we play this in our lifetime.
      “We are there. We will try to win a title we don’t have and finish the circle.”
      When is the Club World Cup final?

      Manchester City’s Club World Cup final against Fluminese will take place TONIGHT – Friday, December 22.
      It is scheduled to get underway at 6pm GMT – 9pm local time.
      King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia is the allocated arena for this huge match and it can host 62,345 fans.
      Real Madrid won their fifth title against Al Hilal in the 2022 final. More