FIFA Club World Cup 2023: How to watch, schedule and format - who is involved? When do Manchester City play?

Manchester City head to the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup as the overwhelming favourites to win the title, with Pep Guardiola’s side entering at the semi-final stage in Saudi Arabia.

The Premier League title winners are in the competition having claimed the UEFA Champions League trophy for the first time.

The event - between December 12-22 - features the winners of each confederation’s elite club competition, with every match live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Brazilian club Fluminense and Saudi champions Al-Ittihad are expected to be City’s main rivals for the trophy.

This will be the final edition of the seven-team FIFA Club World Cup, before a 32-club edition starts in 2025.

The 2023 FIFA Club World begins on Tuesday, December 12 and finishes with the final on Friday, December 22.

The Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah will stage the matches at two venues, with King Abdullah Sports City - boasting a capacity of over 62,000 - hosting the majority of matches.

All seven matches of the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup will be live on TNT Sports, with ad-free coverage available on discovery+.

Manchester City will be the favourites heading into the 2023 FIFA World Cup, having won the treble last season - qualifying for this tournament by lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy for the first time, beating Inter Milan 1-0 in the final.

Pep Guardiola’s side have a bye through to the semi-finals, meaning they skip two rounds, as do Brazil’s Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense, who can call upon former Real Madrid full-back Marcelo.

Al-Ittihad qualified as the host nation’s team, and will be a threat with Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Fabinho all in the squad. The Saudi side will kick-off the tournament against New Zealand part-timers Auckland City - winners of the OFC Champions League - on Tuesday, December 12.

The winners of that game will take on Al Ahly of Egypt, who will be looking to set up a semi-final tie with Fluminense.

Manchester City will face the victors of the second-round match between Mexican side Leon - winners of the CONCACAF Champions League - and AFC Champions League title holders Urawa Red Diamonds, from Japan.

(All times GMT)

Al-Ittihad v Auckland City, 18:00 Tuesday, December 12 - live on TNT Sports 3 and discovery+

Leon v Urawa Red Diamonds, 14:30 Friday, December 15 - live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+

Al Ahly v Winner match 1, 18:00 Friday, December 15 - live on discovery+

Fluminense v Al Ahly/Al-Ittihad /Auckland City, 18:00 Monday, December 18 - live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Leon/Urawa Red Diamonds v Manchester City, 18:00 Tuesday, December 19 - live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Friday, 22 December 14:30, live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Friday, 22 December 18:00, live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Manchester City will be sweating over the fitness of Erling Haaland, who missed the 2-1 win at Luton in the Premier League on Sunday, December 10 because of a foot issue.

Kevin De Bruyne has returned to light training following his injury on the first day of the season and has been included in the squad list, but Pep Guardiola says the Club World Cup may come too soon for the Belgian.

Fluminense can call upon experienced Brazilians Marcelo, formerly of Real Madrid, and ex-Juventus and Inter Milan defender Felipe Melo, who is still going strong at the age of 40.

Al-Ittihad are one of the strongest squads on paper, having signed Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Fabinho in the summer.

Uruguay forward Federico Vinas has been in fine goalscoring form for Leon, while Urawa Red Diamonds will be led by experienced Japan defender Hiroki Sakai.

Egypt’s first choice goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy will line up for Al Ahly, while Emiliano Tade is Auckland City’s all-time top scorer.

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