TAKING ON THE WORLD: Sounders to kick off Club World Cup Saturday

It’s Seattle Sounders FC vs. the world: Here comes the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup.

Representing North America, Central America, and the Caribbean as the reigning Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League winners, the Sounders’ historic participation in the global competition is set to begin this week in Morocco. Seattle is the first MLS club ever to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup.

The journey for the two-time MLS Cup champions begins on Saturday, Feb. 4, at Stade Ibn Batouta where the Sounders will face the winner of the February 1 opening match between Al-Ahly (Egypt) and Auckland City FC (New Zealand).

Should the Sounders win their opening match, a semifinal showdown against Spanish giants and four-time Club World Cup Champion Real Madrid will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Prince Moulay Abdella Stadium in Morocco.

FIFA Club World Cup format and participating teamsThe FIFA Club World Cup is an annual tournament comprised of seven total teams, including all six confederation champions in addition to a club from the host country.

Past FIFA Club World Cup winners include record four-time winners Real Madrid CF, three-time winners FC Barcelona and two-time winners Bayern Munich and Corinthians (Brazil).

Seattle Sounders’ Path to the FIFA Club World CupThe Sounders defeated Pumas UNAM of LIGA MX 3-0 (5-2 aggregate) in front of nearly 69,000 fans at Lumen Field on May 4, 2022, to win the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League.