Real Madrid begin their Club World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal

Real Madrid begin their FIFA Club World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal – a team that have aspirations to stand alongside the European giants on the global stage.

For now, the Saudi Pro League club, after finishing second behind Al Ittihad this season, remain the up-and-comers.

That said, this tournament offers a chance not only for Al Hilal but for the country they represent to lay down a marker in their attempt to become one of the world’s most influential domestic leagues.

What happened the last time Real Madrid and Al Hilal met?

This is only the second meeting between the clubs, but the first was an equally eye-catching affair.

It was the final of the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup – then in its smaller format prior to a rebrand.

Real won 5-3 in a thriller in Rabat, Morocco, as Vinicius Junior scored twice, while setting up another for Karim Benzema.

Al Hilal had beaten Brazilians Flamengo in the semifinals to become the first Saudi side to reach the showpiece finale.

Real beat Egypt’s Al Ahly 4-1 in their last-four match.

Is this Xabi Alonso’s debut as Real Madrid manager?

Yes. Alonso took over from Carlo Ancelotti, who was quickly appointed as coach of Brazil, at the end of last season.

The former Real midfielder had been in charge of Bayer Leverkusen, who he led to the German league title in his first season.

Leverkusen were a distant second to Bayern Munich, by 13 points, this year. But Alonso’s link to Real had long been established, especially with his positive brand of football – all while the pressure was mounting on Ancelotti as Real’s league and European defence disintegrated.

Will Alexander-Arnold start for Real Madrid?

Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to make his debut for Real against Al Hilal.

The England defender was able to complete his move from Liverpool in time for the competition thanks to a special transfer window for clubs involved in the tournament.

Dani Carvajal, who usually fills the right-back spot that Alexander-Arnold could hold, has returned to training following an ACL injury, but this game comes too soon for a full comeback.

Why are Barcelona not at the Club World Cup with Real?

Despite Madrid’s difficult domestic season, albeit only finishing four points off top spot, they qualified for the tournament on the back of their Champions League and La Liga double-winning season two years ago.

Barcelona’s league title this season ended a run of three titles in five years for Real, where Barcelona only won one. Atletico Madrid, the other Spanish side at the Club World Cup, also lifted the La Liga trophy in that time and have a better UEFA coefficient ranking than Barca in the four-year qualification period.