Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal LIVE: Trent Alexander-Arnold set to make debut in Club World Cup | OneFootball

Trent Alexander-Arnold speaks fluent Spanish at Real Madrid unveiling

Both clubs are going through slight transitional periods with Madrid now under the management of Xabi Alonso following his exceptional spell with Bayer Leverkusen and Carlo Ancelotti’s departure at the end of last season.

Alonso will hope to impose his own style of play on the Spanish giants and that could include handing debuts to new signings Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Al-Hilal, meanwhile, are now coached by former Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi after he left the club following their defeat to PSG in the Champions League final. The Saudi side were desperate to bring in a big name signing ahead of the tournament but failed in their pursuit of Bruno Fernandes and Victor Osimhen.

Why are Liverpool not playing in the Club World Cup 2025 and how did Chelsea and Man City qualify?

There are 32 of the best teams from across the globe playing in the Club World Cup over the coming weeks - but Premier League champions Liverpool won’t be one of them.

Ella Witcher explains why:

Why are Liverpool not playing in the Club World Cup 2025?

The Premier League champions are not playing in the inaugural version of the Club World Cup in the United States with Chelsea and Man City representing the Premier League

Will Castle18 June 2025 17:45

Fifa defends Club World Cup ticket sales after another low turnout

Fifa has defended the progress of ticket sales for the Club World Cup after another low turnout for a group stage game on Tuesday evening.

Just 3,412 people attended the match in Orlando between Ulsan HD of South Korea and South African side Mamelodi Sundowns, after 22,317 watched Chelsea’s opening game against Los Angeles FC in Atlanta, in a stadium which can hold up to 71,000 people.

The competition has been controversial since its inception and has triggered legal action from domestic leagues and player unions against Fifa over what they see as a lack of consultation by the global governing body over fixture decisions.

FIFA defends Club World Cup ticket sales after another low turnout

Just 3,412 people attended the match in Orlando between Ulsan HD of South Korea and South African side Mamelodi Sundowns.

Will Castle18 June 2025 17:30

Trent Alexander-Arnold explains decision to change shirt name at Real Madrid

Trent Alexander-Arnold has explained why he has opted to change the name on the back of his shirt following his Real Madrid arrival.

He has ditched his surname in favour of going by “Trent” on the back of his shirt, accompanied by the number 12.

“Quite an easy explanation,” he said at his press conference. “I’ve always found when I travel to Europe that the whole name situation confuses a lot of people, as there being three names and double-barreled.

“People call me Arnold, people call me Alexander, people call me Alex, people call me Trent, there’s a lot that goes on. So I thought let’s make it easy, Trent on the back, and be known as Trent. That’s my name so I guess that’s what people will call me.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold explains decision to change shirt name at Real Madrid

Alexander-Arnold will go simply by “Trent” on the back of his Real Madrid shirt

Will Castle18 June 2025 17:15

What is the early team news?

Xabi Alonso will hope to impose his own style of play on the Spanish giants and that could include handing debuts to new signings Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy and David Alaba will not feature in the showdown as they are eased back in after injury.

Former Premier League stars Kalidou Koulibaly, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Neves and Aleksander Mitrovic are all expected to start for the Saudi opposition.

Xabi Alonso will manage his first game as Real Madrid manager (AP)

Will Castle18 June 2025 17:00

Club World Cup results so far

Saturday, June 14

Group A: Al Ahly 0-0 Inter Miami

Sunday, June 15

Group C: Bayern Munich 10-0 Auckland City

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Group A: Palmeiras 0-0 Porto

Group B: Botafogo 2-1 Seattle Sounders

Monday, June 16

Group C: Chelsea 2-0 LAFC

Group D: Boca Juniors 2-2 Benfica

Group C: Flamengo 2-0 Espérance de Tunis

Tuesday, June 17

Group F: Fluminense 0-0 Borussia Dortmund

Group E River Plate 3-1 Urawa Red Diamonds

Group F: Ulsan HD 0-1 Mamelodi Sundowns

Group E: Monterrey 1-1 Inter Milan

Will Castle18 June 2025 16:45

How to watch the Club World Cup

, from the opener up to and including the final, for free in the UK.

All users can watch a live stream on television and mobile devices, all they need to do is sign up for the company’s service, with the option to watch ad-free coverage for £14.99.

Users can watch DAZN from anywhere by using the DAZN App on TVs, smartphones and any device with a web browser.

The streaming service has hired several footballing legends as part of it’s coverage team, with Ronaldo Nazario, Claude Makelele, Sami Khedira, John Obi Mikel and Christian Vieri among the former players to feature on the punditry line-up, alongside Shay Given and Premier League striker Callum Wilson.

Ade Oladipo, Kelly Somers and Olivia Buzaglo will act as hosts for the coverage alongside former Football Italia presenter James Richardson.

And Conor McNamara will head the commentary team, with former Premier League players Andros Townsend, Michael Brown, Brad Friedel, Rob Green and Danny Higginbotham among the notable co-commentators.

Will Castle18 June 2025 16:30

When and where is Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal?

Real Madrid face Al Hilal at 3pm ET in Miami on Wednesday, June 18 which equates to 8pm BST.

The match will take place at Hard Rock Stadium, which is the home of NFL outfit Miami Dolphins, and holds just over 65,000 spectators.

The Hard Rock Stadium in Miami (AP)

Will Castle18 June 2025 16:15

Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal LIVE!

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Real Madrid’s Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal!

All eyes will be on Real’s new boys - whether that be on the pitch or the touchline - with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen in line to be handed debuts by new boss Xabi Alonso.

Al-Hilal, meanwhile, are now coached by former Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi after he left the club following their defeat to PSG in the Champions League final.

Stay tuned for all the build-up and team news, right here.

Trent Alexander-Arnold could make his debut for Real Madrid tonight (AP)

Will Castle18 June 2025 16:00