EXPLAINER

In FIFA’s revamped club competition, Real Madrid will play in the final at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar on December 18th.

European football’s most successful club, Real Madrid, can add another title to its glittering trophy cabinet when it plays in the final of the new FIFA Intercontinental Cup in Qatar.

As reigning UEFA Champions League champions, the Spanish club have qualified directly for the tournament final on December 18, marking the second anniversary of Qatar hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

In two games before the final – on December 11th and 14th – the continental champions will compete against each other, with the winner then facing the Galaticos.

Here’s everything you need to know about FIFA’s brand new continental club competition in Qatar:

What is the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024?

The new FIFA Intercontinental Cup is a club competition announced in December 2023 that will be played annually between the winner of the UEFA Champions League and the winner of a series of intercontinental playoffs involving the confederation champions of all leading club competitions.

How is the FIFA Intercontinental Cup different from the FIFA Club World Cup?

The FIFA Club World Cup, held annually since 1960, has expanded from seven continental confederation champions to 32 club teams. It is now played every four years in June and July.

The next Club World Cup will be held in the USA in 2025.

Which teams take part in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup?

• Real Madrid (Spain): UEFA/European champions
• Al Ahly (Egypt): CAF/Africa champions
• Pachuca (Mexico): CONCACAF/North America, Central America and Caribbean champions
• Botafogo (Brazil): CONMEBOL/South America champions
• Al Ain (United Arab Emirates): AFC/Asian Champions
• Auckland City (New Zealand): OFC/Oceania champions

Congratulations to @Botafogo about winning the @Libertadores and secure your place next year @FIFACWCand this year’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup! 👏🏆 pic.twitter.com/X9inmQZIHv

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) December 1, 2024

What format is the FIFA Intercontinental Cup?

Four cross-continental playoffs will be contested by five teams and the winner will face Real Madrid in the final.

Will Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham return to Doha for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024?

Mbappe and Bellingham are both on Real Madrid’s squad list for the tournament, along with 14 other top players who were also members of the Qatar 2022 World Cup national teams.

What is the full FIFA Intercontinental Cup schedule?

• African-Asia-Pacific Playoffs: Al Ain 6-2 Auckland City on September 22nd at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
• Africa-Asia-Pacific Cup: Al Ahly 3-0 Al Ain on October 29th at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt
• Derby of the Americas: Botafogo vs Pachuca on December 11 at 8pm (17:00 GMT) at Stadium 974, Doha, Qatar
• Challenger Cup: Winner of the Derby of the Americas against Al Ahly on December 14 at 8pm (5:00 p.m. GMT) at Stadium 974, Doha, Qatar
• Final: Real Madrid vs. Challenger Cup winners on December 18 at 8:00 p.m. (5:00 p.m. GMT) at Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar

Which stadiums host FIFA Intercontinental Cup matches in Qatar?

• Stadium 974, Doha: The venue was built on the shores of the Gulf with 974 containers and overlooks the Doha skyline. This 40,000-seat stadium hosted seven matches during the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
• Lusail Stadium, Lusail: The Lusail Stadium in Lusail City, just outside the capital Doha, hosted the final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Lionel Messi’s Argentina beat Kylian Mbappe’s France in a thrilling conclusion to the tournament. The stadium also hosted the final of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and can accommodate more than 89,000 fans.

How can I buy tickets for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup?

Fans can purchase tickets on FIFA’s official ticketing platform.

Where can I watch and follow the FIFA Intercontinental Cup?

Regional broadcasters and online streaming platforms will broadcast the games live.

Al Jazeera will broadcast live text and photo coverage of the final on December 18.