Saudi Arabia has been chosen to host the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time, from 12to 22 December.
The announcement comes three days after Real Madrid lifted the trophy in Morocco, following a thrilling 5-3 win over Al-Hilal, the first Saudi club to reach the final of the tournament.
Saudi will be only the sixth host since the competition’s inception in 2000.
The country’s sports minister said hosting the tournament signalled “our desire to be a force for good”.
Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in sporting events in recent years, but has been accused of using events to ‘sportswash’ its reputation.
The country has been criticised for its human rights record by organisations including Amnesty International and Reprieve.
Earlier this month, co-hosts Australia and New Zealand asked FIFA to “urgently clarify” reports that Saudi Arabia’s tourism authority is to be named as an official sponsorof the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
A deal with Visit Saudi, which is set to be announced, has been criticised by human rights groups.
Amnesty said in a statement on Tuesday: “FIFA has yet again disregarded Saudi Arabia’s atrocious human rights record.
“Hard on the heels of awarding the Visit Saudi tourism site as a sponsor of the Women’s World Cup, it has announced the kingdom as host of the Club World Cup without any consideration of freedom of expression, discrimination or workers’ rights.”
HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal previously told BBC Sportthat he believes the country will always face global criticism.
On the announcement of the Club World Cup, he said: “We are honoured and extremely excited to be given the opportunity to welcome the world’s leading football clubs and their fans to Saudi Arabia.
“Many fans will have recently witnessed our ability as a nation to compete at the highest possible level on the pitch. Now we have the chance to prove we are also world-class hosts off it.
