New Delhi: European football giants, Real Madrid can add another trophy to their cabinet when they play in the finals of FIFA’s new-look Intercontinental Cup in Qatar. As the reigning champions of the UEFA Champions League, Madrid have gained direct qualification for the tournament’s final which will be held on December 18, marking two years since Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Two matches will be played before the final. On December 11th and 14th, the champions from different continents will face each other. The winners of these matches will then play against Real Madrid in the final.
Here’s everything you need to know about the continent club competition in Qatar:
What is 2024’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup?
The FIFA Intercontinental Cup is a new club competition that was announced in December 2023. The competition will feature the winners of the UEFA Champions League and the winner of a series of intercontinental playoffs involving the champions of other confederations’ premier club competitions.
Format
There will be four matches between teams from different continents. The winner of these matches will then play against Real Madrid in the final.
Two trophies are up for grabs in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024™ presented by Aramco this week! 🏆@Botafogo take on @Tuzos for the FIFA Derby of the Americas trophy this Wednesday before the winner faces @AlAhly for the FIFA Challenger Cup on Saturday 🙌
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) December 10, 2024
Qualified teams
UEFA/Europe champions- Real Madrid (Spain)
CAF/Africa champions- Al Ahly (Egypt)
CONCACAF/North America, Central America and the Caribbean champions- Pachuca (Mexico)
CONMEBOL/South America champions- Botafogo (Brazil)
AFC/Asia champions- Al Ain (United Arab Emirates)
OFC/Oceania champions- Auckland City (New Zealand)
Full Schedule
African-Asian-Pacific playoff: Al Ain 6-2 Auckland City on September 22 (Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain, UAE)
African-Asian-Pacific Cup: Al Ahly 3-0 Al Ain on October 29 (Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt)
Derby of the Americas: Botafogo vs Pachuca on December 11 at at 10:30 pm (Stadium 974, Doha, Qatar)
Challenger Cup: Derby of the Americas winner vs Al Ahly on December 14 at 10:30 pm (Stadium 974, Doha, Qatar)
Final: Real Madrid vs Challenger Cup winner on December 18 at 10:30 pm (Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar
How is the tournament different from the FIFA Club World Cup?
The FIFA Club World Cup has been held annually since 1960. The tournament has been expanded from seven continental confederation champions to 32 teams. The Club World Cup will now be played every four years in June and July. The next will take part in 2025 and the United States are the host.
FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024 brings together top club teams from around the world. Real Madrid awaits the winner of the continental playoffs in the grand final. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
