Real Madrid is set to travel to Qatar in December for a single match as they compete in the final of the new FIFA Intercontinental Cup. The format of the competition has now been confirmed by FIFA, who have transformed the Club World Cup into a quadrennial tournament that aligns more closely with the original national teams World Cup. The first edition of this 32-team tournament will take place next summer, mirroring World Cup tournaments played between 1998 and 2022.
Rather than eliminating the competition that has been held every December since 2005, FIFA has decided to retain it under a slightly different format. Each season’s UEFA Champions League winners will still compete against other continental champions from around the world. As last season’s European champions, Real Madrid will participate in the inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup. This cup borrows its name from a defunct competition that was contested annually between European Cup winners and Copa Libertadores winners from 1960 until 2004.
The early rounds of this revamped competition will involve clubs from various regions and will be spread out over several months instead of just a few days. Additionally, instead of being based in one host city or country, the higher-ranked club will have home advantage in the first two rounds.
The opening match between Al Ain and Auckland City, representing Asia and Oceania respectively, is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on Sunday evening. The winner of this match will then progress to face African champions Al Ahly in Egypt on October 29th for what is now known as the African-Asian-Pacific Cup.
The first game in Qatar is set for December 11th and features South American champions against North and Central American champions. This match has been dubbed as “Derby of Americas” and will see Mexico’s Pachuca face off against yet-to-be-determined winners of Copa Libertadores 2024.
Following that round, the winner moves on to play either Al Ain, Auckland City or Al Ahly three days later on December 14th for what is called Challenger Cup. Real Madrid enters into action on December 17th for the Intercontinental Cup itself where they go head-to-head with their challenger for ultimate glory.
While it may only be one additional game for Real Madrid, it still involves a lengthy international trip and could result in postponement or rearrangement of their La Liga fixture against Rayo Vallecano. With an expanded Champions League schedule and summer Club World Cups also taking place next year, there could be significant demands placed on Real Madrid’s squad as they potentially play up to 71 club games across seven competitions this season.
