FIFA has announced that the final three matches of the 2026 Intercontinental Cup will be held in Qatar, setting the decisive stages for the tournament that brings together continental champions.
Qatar will host the concluding rounds for the third consecutive year, having hosted the 2024 and 2025 editions, with next December’s matches distributed between Jassim bin Hamad Stadium and Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
The Qatari leg kicks off on Wednesday, December 9, with the “Derby of the Americas” at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, bringing together Mexico’s Toluca, the CONCACAF champions, and the yet-to-be-determined 2026 Copa Libertadores champions.
The winner will advance to face South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns at the same venue on Saturday, December 12, in the “Challenger Cup” match, which awards the victor a ticket to the final.
The final match will take place on Wednesday, December 16, at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, where Paris Saint-Germain, the UEFA Champions League winners and defending champions, await the team crowned in the Challenger Cup.
The current edition kicked off in Jeddah on August 26, when Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli, the Asian champions, defeated Oceania champions Auckland City 1-0 in the opening match of the Africa-Asia-Pacific path.
However, the Saudi team’s journey ended in Pretoria on September 19 following a 2-1 defeat against African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, securing the latter the Africa-Asia-Pacific Cup and a spot in Qatar.
Paris is looking to retain the title it won in 2025, following Real Madrid’s triumph in the 2024 edition, while the current format allows other clubs to claim stage titles before reaching the final showdown with the European representative.
