With a new format, Real Madrid is now in the final of the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, a new format from the old one. Understand the changes and what the decision will be like on December 18th.
Real Madrid no Club World Cup
Real Madrid secured their direct place in the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final by winning the UEFA final in the 2023–24 season. This new competition format, which replaces the old annual Club World Cup, determines that the European champion automatically advances to the final, while the winners of the other confederations compete against each other for the other place in the decision.
The 2024 Intercontinental Cup features five matches in total. Real Madrid will face the winner of the preliminary rounds in the final, scheduled for December 18, 2024, at the Lusail Stadium, in Doha, Qatar.
This new format aims to increase competitiveness and global interest in the tournament, offering the European champion a privileged position in the fight for the world title. Thus, by winning the main European competition, Real Madrid guaranteed its direct place in the 2024 Intercontinental Cup final.
Botafogo in the Club World Cup
Botafogo, in turn, recently won the Copa Libertadores da América for the first time in its history, beating Atlético Mineiro 3-1 in Buenos Aires.
With this victory, the Rio club secured the last spot for the 2025 Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States.
Furthermore, Botafogo secured its participation in the 2024 Intercontinental Cup. The club will face Pachuca, winner of the Concacaf Champions Cup, on December 11th in Doha. The winner of this clash will face Al Ahly on December 14th, and whoever wins will play in the final against Real Madrid on December 18th.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti praised Botafogo after the victory in the Libertadores, highlighting the team’s resilience, which played with one player less from the first seconds of the match. Ancelotti expressed his desire to face Botafogo in the final of the Intercontinental Cup, recognizing the tradition and quality of the Brazilian club.
The possible final between Real Madrid and Botafogo promises to be a historic clash, bringing together the current European champion and the recently crowned South American champion. For Botafogo, it would be an opportunity to consolidate its return to protagonism in international football, while Real Madrid seeks to reaffirm its global supremacy.
With the final scheduled for December 18th, the eyes of the football world will be on Doha, where the champion of the first edition of the new FIFA Intercontinental Cup will be crowned.
