Confirmation that Saudi Arabia had won the right to host the World Cup came in December. On the field, the Club World Cup was the first chance for the country to make a global statement about the growth of its domestic game, which is largely unheralded outside of Asia.

Marcos Leonardo scored twice, including a follow-up game-winner at the left post in extra time to lead Al Hilal to a shocking upset of Manchester City, eliminating the Sky Blues from the Club World Cup in Orlando,