Fluminense are set to face Manchester City in the finals of the FIFA Club World Cup 2023 on Friday, 22nd December. The Brazilian club defeated African champions Al Ahly 2-0 in the semifinals, while the Sky Blues defeated Urawa Red Diamonds to earn their place in the finals.Â
Both sides will be fighting for their first ever FIFA Club World Cup title, with Fluminense winning the Copa Libertadores for the first time ever this year. Manchester City also got their hands on the UEFA Champions League for the first time this year, and Pep Guardiola has publicly revealed that he wants to complete the trophy haul, consisting of the UEFA Champions League and Super Cup.Â
Fluminense and Manchester City to face off in the FIFA Club World Cup finalÂ
Pep Guardiola has named Kevin De Bruyne in his squad, with the Belgian coming back after a long time off due to injury. Erling Haaland’s involvement remains a doubt, with the Norwegian recently sidelined due to a bone stress issue.
For Fluminense, eyes will be on Real Madrid legend Marcelo as he seeks to earn his seventh Club World Cup title. The iconic left-back won the title six times with Los Blancos, and won a continental title once again – this year with his boyhood club.Â
City will be going in as favourites, having won the treble this past season. But after the remarkable performance by Fluminense in the Copa Libertadores final, it would be foolish to count them out before the game has even begun.