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Saudi Sports Minister, FIFA President Attend Opening Ceremony of Club World Cup 2023 in Jeddah

The FIFA Club World Cup 2023 kicked off in Jeddah on Tuesday night. SPA
The FIFA Club World Cup 2023 kicked off in Jeddah on Tuesday night. SPA
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Saudi Sports Minister, FIFA President Attend Opening Ceremony of Club World Cup 2023 in Jeddah

The FIFA Club World Cup 2023 kicked off in Jeddah on Tuesday night. SPA
The FIFA Club World Cup 2023 kicked off in Jeddah on Tuesday night. SPA

The FIFA Club World Cup 2023 kicked off in Jeddah on Tuesday night with an opening ceremony that featured various performances and dances.There were over 50,000 spectators – a record number for a Club World Cup opener.
Swedish Band Swedish House Mafia and American rapper Busta Rhymes also made an appearance, adding to the festivities.
Saudi Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation Yasser Al-Misehal and several heads of local and international sports federations attended the ceremony.
Al-Misehal expressed pride in holding the tournament in the Kingdom, and expressed confidence in the Kingdom's ability to deliver an exceptional event for all fans.
He also urged football fans to attend and enjoy the tournament.
In the opening match, Saudi club Al-Ittihad secured a 3-0 victory over New Zealand's Auckland City.

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Fans Lift Alcaraz as he Makes Bee-line Into Last 16

Mar 10, 2025; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) celebrates after defeating Denis Shapovalov (not pictured) in his third round match at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Well Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Mar 10, 2025; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) celebrates after defeating Denis Shapovalov (not pictured) in his third round match at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Well Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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Fans Lift Alcaraz as he Makes Bee-line Into Last 16

Mar 10, 2025; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) celebrates after defeating Denis Shapovalov (not pictured) in his third round match at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Well Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Mar 10, 2025; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) celebrates after defeating Denis Shapovalov (not pictured) in his third round match at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Well Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz had a fun flashback at Indian Wells on Monday thanks to a group of fans dressed as bees -- homage to his match that was interrupted by a swarm of the insects last year.

A group of about 10 fans sported yellow and black striped costumes and made buzzing sounds in support of Alcaraz during his 6-2, 6-4 victory over Denis Shapovalov, AFP reported.

The Spaniard said he spotted them when they were shown on the big scoreboard.

"It helped me a lot because you know during the whole first set I was looking at them and laughing," he said with a big grin. "And I always say that when I'm laughing, when I'm having fun on the court I show good tennis.

"So probably thanks to them I could show good tennis," added Alcaraz, who said he first became aware of the group during the second game of the match.

"It was funny. I took a selfie with them at the end, because I think they deserve it."

Last year Alcaraz's quarter-final against Alexander Zverev was halted abruptly as swarming bees drove the players from Stadium Court.

Alcaraz was stung, swatting the insects away in alarm before seeking shelter.

The bees swarmed the remote-controled "spider cam" and the umpire's chair and there was a 45-minute delay before bee keeper Lance Davis arrived and vacuumed up the bees to release them elsewhere, allowing the match to continue.

Davis's work had already been noted this year -- he performed the ceremonial coin toss before Alcaraz's opening match.

"When I saw him I was laughing," Alcaraz said. "It has been a funny thing."