Real Madrid players posing on the field before a match with a promotional club banner in front
These are the possible starting elevens for Real Madrid and Al-Hilal in their World Cup debut | Camara Enrique Sanz
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Possible line-ups Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal, Xabi Alonso's debut in the World Cup

The first match for both teams in the Club World Cup is closer than ever

by

Enrique Sanz

The wait is over: only a few hours remain before Real Madrid face Al-Hilal in the 2025 Club World Cup. After two weeks of intense training sessions in Valdebebas and Florida, Xabi Alonso begins his time at the white club with a match of the highest competitive level. Not for nothing, the board understands that the Club World Cup is a must-win competition.

It won't be an easy task for Xabi Alonso to put together a starting eleven. The integration into the team of Raúl Asencio, promoted from Real Madrid Castilla, and the signings of Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold certainly pave the way for the Basque coach... but there's still much to be done in that regard.

Soccer players from two different teams compete for the ball during a match in a stadium full of spectators.
A moment from the match between Al-Hilal and Real Madrid at the 2023 World Cup | Real Madrid Confidencial

Above all, considering the multiple injured players in the Merengue squad, inherited from the 24/25 season. There are nine players who would be left out of Xabi Alonso's initial plans for the match against Al-Hilal. Starting with Endrick, injured for more than two weeks, who remains in Valdebebas to fully recover from his ailment.

Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Antonio Rüdiger, and Kylian Mbappé are more of Xabi Alonso's injured players... although it's true that the Bondy striker, affected by a fever, is a last-minute doubt. Given the situation, Xabi Alonso would present this starting eleven:Courtois; Trent, Asencio, Huijsen, Fran García; Tchouaméni, Valverde, Bellingham, Güler; Mbappé, Vinícius.

A very desired debut

Al-Hilal arrive at the Club World Cup with the memory of the first and last encounter, at least until today, played between both clubs: the 2023 Club World Cup final. Back then, Real Madrid won with a spectacular 3-5 that leaves Simone Inzaghi's players eager to prove themselves.

The Italian coach, who is also making his debut with the Saudi Arabian team, has no injured players among those drafted to play in the 2025 Club World Cup. Given the situation, the former Inter Milan coach would present this starting eleven:  Bono; João Cancelo, Koulibaly, Al-Bulayhi, Renan Lodi; Rúben Neves, Milinkovic-Savic, Marcos Leonardo; Malcom, Al-Dawsari, Mitrovic.

Soccer player in a white uniform kicks the ball while two opponents in blue uniforms try to block him during a match with a crowd in the background.
Karim Benzema shoots at goal in the 2023 match between Al-Hilal and Real Madrid | Real Madrid Confidencial

The Real Madrid vs. Al-Hilal match will be played at the Hard Rock Stadium. Both teams will meet today, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. (21 hours) in a match refereed by Argentine Facundo Tello and Uruguayan Leodán González.

This match can be watched through the DAZN platform, completely free of charge. It will also be broadcast over the air on Telecinco, a Mediaset España channel. The match can be followed live in detail through the Defensa Central website.

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