European champions Real Madrid will compete in the final of the inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup in Qatar this December, as announced by FIFA. The competition, which brings together top club teams from across the globe, will feature five matches, culminating in the final on December 18. As the reigning UEFA Champions League winners, Real Madrid has been granted automatic qualification for the final.
This date holds special significance for Qatar as it coincides with both Qatar National Day and the two-year anniversary of the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, where Argentina triumphed over France.
The FIFA Intercontinental Cup, introduced last year, will replace the annual Club World Cup, which has been revamped to a larger 32-team format and will now be held every four years starting in 2025.
Qatar’s Minister of Youth and Sports, H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, expressed pride in the nation’s continued ability to host elite football events, saying, “Hosting another prestigious tournament is a testament to Qatar’s world-class event capabilities. We are excited to welcome some of the world’s top footballers and continue the legacy of the 2022 World Cup.”
Real Madrid to Lead Global Club Competition
The tournament will kick off on September 22, with Asian Champions League winners Al Ain hosting Oceanic Champions League winners Auckland City in a playoff match for the African-Asian-Pacific Cup. The winner will then face African Champions League champions Al Ahly in Cairo on October 29.
These early matches will take place in the home stadiums of the higher-ranked teams, giving local fans a chance to see their clubs in action.
The tournament will then move to Doha, where South American Libertadores champions will face Mexican side Pachuca, the CONCACAF Champions Cup winners, on December 11. FIFA has billed this as the “Derby of the Americas.”
The victors of the semifinal matches will compete in the Challenger Cup on December 14, with the winner earning the chance to challenge Real Madrid in the Intercontinental Cup final on December 18.
Source: Al Jazeera