Seattle Sounders prepare for Club World Cup

Our local team is the first-ever MLS club to compete.

A bench draped in scarf that says Sounders FC overlooks a mountain in Spain.

The Sounders made a quick pit stop in Spain before making their way to Morocco for the games.

Photo via Seattle Sounders FC

Time to pull out that well-used Sounders fan gear. Even though the regular season ended in the fall, we’ve got a big event coming up — the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.

The Seattle Sounders will be one of seven clubs competing in Morocco this week as the first-ever MLS team to enter the worldwide event. Their first game is on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 9:30 a.m. and can be streamed on Fox 13+.

If you’re feeling a bit confused on the difference between this tournament and the regular World Cup, you’re not alone. Basically, it’s a pared-down tournament format from the same organization (FIFA) — however, players aren’t separated by country, but are on their usual pro teams that won other big tournaments.

The Sounders are playing this year because of their 2022 Concacaf Champions League victory. And if they manage to get past powerhouses like Real Madrid and Flamengo, you could argue we’re the best soccer team in the world. Those are pretty big bragging rights.

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