Overview
- Kickoff at Hong Kong Stadium is 8:00 p.m. local on Aug. 19, with U.S. coverage on Fox Sports 2 and Fox Deportes and streaming on Fubo and Fox platforms.
- Karim Benzema downplayed any personal duel with Cristiano Ronaldo, saying it is “more Al Nassr vs. Al Ittihad” at the pre-match press conference.
- Reigning league and King’s Cup winners Al Ittihad enter as domestic double holders but are without goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic due to a muscle injury.
- Al Nassr start a reset under new coach Jorge Jesus after signing Joao Felix, Kingsley Coman and Inigo Martinez to bolster Ronaldo’s supporting cast.
- Al Hilal withdrew citing Club World Cup fatigue, with authorities reviewing possible sanctions, while Al Ahli face Al Qadsiah in the other semifinal.