Man City drawn to face Club Leon or Urawa Reds in Club World Cup

Manchester City will face either Mexican side Club Leon or Japanese outfit Urawa Reds in the semi-finals of this year's Club World Cup.

The draw for the 2023 tournament, which takes place this December, was held in Jeddah this afternoon with the seven entrants discovering their path to glory.

Pep Guardiola's Champions League winners will be hot favourites for glory in the Middle East but could yet face a final showdown with big-spending Al-Ittihad, who are on the opposite side of the draw.

Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema was one of a host of stars to join the Saudi Pro League side this summer, alongside the likes of N'Golo Kante and Fabinho.

It will be the Citizens' maiden Club World Cup campaign after they conquered Europe for the first time in their history back in June.

Read on to discover all you need to know about the competition.

2023 Club World Cup draw in full

First round

December 12: Al-Ittihad vs Auckland City

Second round

December 15: Al Ahly vs Al-Ittihad or Auckland City

December 15: Club Leon vs Urawa Red Diamonds

Semi-finals

December 18: CONMEBOL representative vs Al Ahly or Al-Ittihad/Auckland City

December 19: Club Leon or Urawa Red Diamonds vs Manchester City

December 22: Final

What is the Club World Cup?

The Club World Cup sees seven teams face off in a straight knockout tournament, with the winners of the leading competition in six continents and the host nation's national champions taking part. 

First, the Saudi champions face representatives from Oceania, with the victors joining the Asian, African and North American victors in the quarter-finals. 

The kings of European and South American football then enter at the semi-final stage. 

This will be the last seven-team Club World Cup before the tournament is expanded to 32 teams in 2025.

Where will the 2023 Club World Cup be played?

Saudi Arabia will host the Club World Cup for the first time this year. 

Japan have hosted the tournament on a record eight occasions, while other regular venues have included the United Arab Emirates (five times), Morocco (three times) and Qatar (two times) since the inaugural tournament took place in Brazil back in 2000.

Which sides are taking part in the 2023 Club World Cup?

The first-round clash will be played between Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad and OFC Champions League winners Auckland City of New Zealand.

The winner of that contest will take a quarter-final spot alongside AFC Champions League holders Urawa Reds of Japan, CONCACAF Champions League winners Club Leon from Mexico and Egyptian outfit Al Ahly, who won the 2022-23 CAF Champions League.

South American representatives will be the winners of this year's Copa Libertadores, which concludes in November.

The latter team will enter at the semi-final stage, on the opposite side of the bracket to Manchester City.