Real Madrid vs Al Hilal: FIFA Club World Cup – team news, start, lineups | Football News

Who: Actual Madrid vs Al Hilal
What: FIFA Membership World Cup
The place: Arduous Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida, United States
When: Wednesday, June 18 – 15:00 EDT native time | 12:00 PST | 19:00 GMT | 21:00 CEST

Actual Madrid start their FIFA Club World Cup campaign in opposition to Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal – a workforce which have aspirations to face alongside the European giants on the worldwide stage.

For now, the Saudi Professional League membership, after ending second behind Al Ittihad this season, stay the up-and-comers.

That mentioned, this match provides an opportunity not just for Al Hilal however for the nation they characterize to put down a marker of their try and turn out to be one of many world’s most influential home leagues.

Al Jazeera takes a take a look at the assembly between two heavyweights of their respective rights.

What occurred the final time Actual Madrid and Al Hilal met?

That is solely the second assembly between the golf equipment, however the first was an equally eye-catching affair.

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

Actual gained 5-3 in a thriller in Rabat, Morocco, as Vinicius Junior scored twice, whereas organising one other for Karim Benzema.

Al Hilal had overwhelmed Brazilians Flamengo within the semifinals to turn out to be the primary Saudi aspect to succeed in the showpiece finale.

Actual beat Egypt’s Al Ahly 4-1 of their last-four match.

Is that this Xabi Alonso’s debut as Actual Madrid supervisor?

Sure. Alonso took over from Carlo Ancelotti, who was quickly appointed as coach of Brazil, on the finish of final season.

The previous Actual midfielder had been in control of Bayer Leverkusen, who he led to the German league title in his first season.

Leverkusen had been a distant second to Bayern Munich, by 13 factors, this yr. However Alonso’s link to Real had long been established, particularly together with his constructive model of soccer – all whereas the stress was mounting on Ancelotti as Actual’s league and European defence disintegrated.

Will Alexander-Arnold begin for Actual Madrid?

Trent Alexander-Arnold is predicted to make his debut for Actual in opposition to Al Hilal.

The England defender was capable of full his transfer from Liverpool in time for the competitors because of a particular switch window for golf equipment concerned within the match.

Dani Carvajal, who often fills the right-back spot that Alexander-Arnold might maintain, has returned to coaching following an ACL harm, however this recreation comes too quickly for a full comeback.

Why are Barcelona not on the Membership World Cup with Actual?

Regardless of Madrid’s tough home season, albeit solely ending 4 factors off high spot, they certified for the match on the again of their Champions League and La Liga double-winning season two years in the past.

Barcelona’s league title this season ended a run of three titles in 5 years for Actual, the place Barcelona solely gained one. Atletico Madrid, the opposite Spanish aspect on the Membership World Cup, additionally lifted the La Liga trophy in that point and have a greater UEFA coefficient rating than Barca within the four-year qualification interval.

What number of Membership World Cups have Actual Madrid gained?

Actual Madrid’s win in opposition to Al Hilal in 2023 was their fifth Membership World Cup in its varied earlier guises.

That doesn’t embrace lifting the inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup in December when Los Blancos beat Mexico’s Pachuca 3-0 within the last.

That competitors in impact changed the outdated Membership World Cup, however the rebrand has separated the titles.

How did Al Hilal attain the Membership World Cup?

The Saudi workforce have been among the many high achievers of their home league, regardless of their second-place end this season. Nevertheless it was their 2021 AFC Champions League victory that ensured their Membership World Cup place.

Pohang Steelers of South Korea had been Al Hilal’s opponents in that last, which the latter gained 2-0.

Actual Madrid workforce information

Together with Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen might additionally make his debut within the centre of defence following his transfer from Bournemouth.

Brazilian ahead Endrick is the one injured absentee, whereas Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy and David Alaba have all returned from harm however are unlikely to be deemed prepared to start out.

Al Hilal workforce information

Joao Cancelo is the one harm for Al Hilal.

The previous Manchester Metropolis, Barcelona and Juventus defender continues to be recovering from a hamstring harm.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Joao Neves will carry a weight of expertise to central midfield, whereas former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic will show a fierce goal man for Actual’s defence to take care of.

Actual Madrid predicted lineup:

Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Huijsen, Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Guler, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr

Al Hilal predicted lineup:

Bounou; Okay Al-Dawsari, Koulibaly, Al-Bulayhi; Cancelo, Neves, Milinkovic-Savic, Lodi; Malcom, Marcos Leonardo; Mitrovic