Jeddah to Host FIFA Club World Cup 2023

 21 June 2019, France, Grenoble: A view of a plastic model of the "FIFA" lettering is illuminated by the sun. (dpa)
21 June 2019, France, Grenoble: A view of a plastic model of the "FIFA" lettering is illuminated by the sun. (dpa)
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Jeddah to Host FIFA Club World Cup 2023

 21 June 2019, France, Grenoble: A view of a plastic model of the "FIFA" lettering is illuminated by the sun. (dpa)
21 June 2019, France, Grenoble: A view of a plastic model of the "FIFA" lettering is illuminated by the sun. (dpa)

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) announced on Monday that Jeddah will host the next edition of the FIFA Club World Cup 2023.

This follows an official visit made by a FIFA delegation to Jeddah last week to inspect the ongoing preparations to host the tournament, which will be held from December 12 to 22.

SAFF President Yasser Al-Mis'hal said Jeddah is ready to hold this year’s edition of FIFA Club World Cup and to provide an unprecedented experience for players and fans.

The city has a history in organizing major sporting events and boasts a wide range of advanced facilities and a strong infrastructure, he stressed, adding that being chosen to host this championship is testimony to the Kingdom's position and capability to host major international sporting events.

"The sports sector is a fundamental pillar of the continuous transformation process that the Kingdom is witnessing, in line with Saudi Vision 2030,” he remarked.

The sector enjoys unlimited support from the Saudi leadership, he added.

“Saudi Arabia has succeeded in establishing its position as one of the most important and fastest growing sports destinations in the world,” Al-Mis'hal said.

Hosting a tournament of the caliber of the World Cup is opportunity to develop the game locally, take it to new heights, show the true image of the Kingdom, and highlight the hospitality of its people and their great passion for football.

FIFA experts inspected the main infrastructure and stadiums nominated to host the tournament, including King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, as well as several training and accommodation facilities.



Bayern Munich Wants to Keep Forward Mathys Tel Despite Reports Linking Him with Chelsea

Mathys Tel. (AFP)
Mathys Tel. (AFP)
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Bayern Munich Wants to Keep Forward Mathys Tel Despite Reports Linking Him with Chelsea

Mathys Tel. (AFP)
Mathys Tel. (AFP)

Bayern Munich's sporting director Christoph Freund says the German club is planning to keep Mathys Tel, after several media reports linked the French forward with a move to Chelsea.

Freund said Tuesday that the 19-year-old Tel was a “very important player” for Bayern and that the club wants to follow a plan for his development.

“We have a very good dialogue because he’s a big talent who should take on an important role for us. We’ve had a lot of conversations. Our clear aim is that Mathys will make the breakthrough with us,” Freund said. “Obviously we’ll listen if a player isn’t happy, then we’ll talk about it. We want to see through our plan with Mathys.”

Freund's comments followed reports in British and German media that Chelsea was interested in signing Tel, with some claiming a swap deal could see out-of-form Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku head to Bayern.

Tel became Bayern's youngest-ever goalscorer when he netted in a cup game in August 2022 at the age of 17 years, 126 days, breaking a record held by teammate Jamal Musiala. He had joined Bayern earlier that year from French club Rennes.

Tel netted 10 goals in all competitions last season but has yet to score in this campaign. He has played 12 games under coach Vincent Kompany in all competitions but started only two of them, with his last start coming in a Bundesliga game Sept. 1.

Bayern next plays Wednesday at home against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga. Kompany signaled Tuesday that attacking midfielder Musiala could return after missing Saturday's 1-0 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach with an illness.