Over 47,000 fans flooded Morocco's Tangier Stadium to witness the opening match of the tournament, one that was largely dominated by Cairo club Al Ahly as they comfortably defeated Oceania champions Auckland City 3-0.
With six of the tournament's matches still to play, here's a look at why you should tuning in on SBS and SBS On Demand this February.
Real Madrid are there
Los Blancos will be eyeing off a fifth Club World Cup title when they enter the tournament in the semi-finals.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, midfielders Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Aurélien Tchouaméni, and forwards Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr. are just a few of the players expected to star for the Spanish giants in Morocco, just as they did to propel Los Blancos to an impressive league and continental cup double in 2022.
Vinicius and Benzema produced 66 goals and 35 assists between them last season, with the latter’s contribution enough to earn him the Ballon d’Or as the best player in world football.
Coming up against the winner of Al Ahly and Seattle Sounders in the final four, the stage is set for what would be an enthralling potential match-up against CONMEBOL champions Flamengo in the final.
Star players... and lots of them
In addition to the long list of superstars on the Real Madrid roster, fellow semi-final entrants Flamengo boast a strong squad which includes the likes of star veterans Arturo Vidal, David Luiz and Filipe Luis, as well as 2022 FIFA World Cup players Éverton Ribeiro, Pedro (both Brazil) and Uruguay's Guillermo Varela and Giorgian de Arrascaeta.
Playing in their home country, Wydad AD boast three players who were apart of Morocco's fairy tale run to the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finals in star defender Yahia Attiyat Allah, midfielder Yahya Jabrane and goalkeeper Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti.
Al Hilal’s Saudi born winger Salem Al-Dawsari will be a player opposition side’s will need to keep an eye on in Morocco. The 31-year-old was one of Saudi Arabia’s best players at the FIFA World Cup, netting on three occasions which included a stunning goal in the Green Falcons incredible win against Argentina in the group stage.
Seattle Sounders will be aided by the presence of USA stars Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan, as well as Uruguayan midfield maestro Nicolas Lodeiro, in their historic maiden appearance at the tournament.
An electric Moroccan atmosphere
Wydad Casablanca will be carrying the hopes of a nation when they enter the tournament in the second round against Saudi opponents Al-Hilal.
Riding high off the success of Morocco's surprise fourth-place finish at the 2022 World Cup, the CAF Champions League will certainly be feeling the pressure to succeed at the tournament in order to build on the momentum of the national team, and to please their home fans.
According to Moroccan head coach and former Wydad AC boss, Walid Regragui, the 'great atmosphere' of the Moroccan crowds will serve to create an impressive spectacle for the tournament.
"I have had an extraordinary year with this crowd," he said. "Casablanca is really a soccer city. It's great for Morocco - especially after the World Cup - to see that there is soccer, that there is a public and that there are beautiful stadiums. It's going to be fantastic for our country."
With 47,137 in attendance for Thursday's (AEDT) tournament opener, it is crazy to think of the atmosphere Wydad AC's home fans and a potential final involving Spanish giants Real Madrid, could bring to your screens!
A refereeing first in world football
The use of microphones is currently being trialled at the Club World Cup by FIFA match officials in response to prior criticism from fans about the manner in which VAR decisions have been made at previous matches.
The trial aims to clear up the confusion surrounding the circumstances behind certain VAR decisions by making the first official's voice audible to the crowd - the first instance of which having already occurred at the tournament's opening match between Al Ahly and Auckland City.
During stoppage time of Al Ahly's 3-0 victory, referee Ma Ning announced the reversal of his initial decision of awarding a penalty to the Egyptian side to the crowd - deciding that Auckland defender Adam Mitchell's challenge was made outside the box from his VAR check and video review. The defender was sent off for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity.
Could the refereeing trial provide more drama as we reach the business end of the tournament?
It's all LIVE and FREE
You can watch every match of the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup on SBS On Demand, while the two semi-finals on February 8 and 9 and the tournament showpiece on February 12 will be shown LIVE on SBS in addition to the On Demand platform.
