The opening match of the 19th edition of the FIFA Club World Cup opposes this Wednesday, February 1, 2023 the Egyptians of Al Ahly Sporting Club and the New Zealand outfit of Auckland City from 19:00 at the Tangier Main Stadium. Bronze medalists at least once, both teams aim to do better this year.
Both regulars of the Club World Cup, Al Ahly from Egypt and Auckland City from New Zealand will have the privilege of setting the ball of the 19th edition of the Club World Cup rolling this Wednesday in Tangier, Morocco.
On paper, it is difficult to identify the favorite. But if we refer to the experience of the two teams in this competition, we would be tempted to give a slight advantage to the Egyptians of Al Ahly who have won the bronze medal three times (2006, 2020 and 2022) in seven participations.
For her eighth participation, Al Ahly arrives at the Club World Cup with high spirits. The Red Devils are on an impressive winning streak of 14 out of 15 in the league (26 goals scored for 5 conceded). They have collected 37 points out of 45 possible points and logically occupy the first position in the ranking.
On the other end, Auckland City, which holds the record for the largest number of participation (9) in the Club World Cup, has only climbed on the podium once. It was in 2014 in Morocco. Nine years later, the New Zealanders return to Morocco with the ambition to do better this time. And that necessarily means a victory tonight against Al Ahly of Egypt.
The Navy Blues, nickname given to the Auckland City team, present themselves at this club world cup with 14 league matches under their belts (8 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses, 35 goals scored against 13 conceded, 28 points, leader of the New Zealand championship).
In view of all these figures, everything suggests that the sports public of Tangier will be well served by Egyptians and New Zealanders at the opening of the club world Cup.
Note that the winner of the Al Ahly-Auckland City match will face the Americans of Seattle Sounders FC in the quarterfinals next Saturday, February 4 for a place in the semifinals.
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