The Intercontinental Cup was an important stepping stone in international club football, linking the champions of Europe and South America before the establishment of the FIFA Club World Cup. Its progression over several decades illustrates how the sport responded to growing global interest and the need for more inclusive competitions.
The tournament began in 1960 as a partnership between UEFA and CONMEBOL. Its purpose was to identify the world’s top club by matching the European Cup (now UEFA Champions League) winner against the Copa Libertadores champion. The first edition featured Real Madrid against Peñarol, setting a precedent for a cross-continental contest that attracted attention from both sides of the Atlantic. In the following years, clubs like AC Milan, Boca Juniors, Ajax, and Flamengo participated, raising the profile of the event.
Initially, the Intercontinental Cup was played over two legs, one in Europe and one in South America. While this arrangement honoured both teams’ home support, it also presented logistical hurdles. The long distances and occasionally hostile atmospheres posed difficulties for players, coaches, and traveling fans. Some editions were marred by rough play and security problems, which detracted from the sporting spectacle. Nonetheless, the event remained significant for determining a de facto global champion at a time when no official worldwide club competition existed.
In 1980, the format changed to a single-match final in Tokyo, supported by Toyota’s sponsorship. This neutral-venue approach simplified organizational challenges and created a consistent setting for the matches. Moving the final to Japan also enhanced the competition’s global visibility, thanks in part to improved broadcasting arrangements and an atmosphere that focused on the sporting contest rather than external pressures.
During this era, world-class players like Zico at Flamengo, Diego Maradona at Boca Juniors, and Paolo Maldini at AC Milan helped shape the tournament’s legacy. However, the event continued to feature only European and South American clubs. Critics argued that while it produced compelling matchups, it did not represent the entire football world.
By the turn of the millennium, it had become clear that a truly global competition was needed. FIFA’s pilot Club World Championship in 2000 included champions from all continents, reflecting the sport’s international growth. The Intercontinental Cup ran alongside this initiative until 2004. That year, Porto defeated Once Caldas in what would be the final edition of the old format.
In 2005, the Intercontinental Cup was officially replaced by the FIFA Club World Cup, which included representatives from every confederation. This integrated format aligned more closely with modern football’s global reach, ensuring that clubs from Asia, Africa, North and Central America, and Oceania could also compete for a worldwide title.
Though the Intercontinental Cup ended in 2004, its legacy remains influential. In 2017, FIFA recognized all winners of the Intercontinental Cup as official world champions, acknowledging the tournament’s historical importance.
### **2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup: Format and Results**
The 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup introduces a multi-stage format designed to involve continental champions from Africa, Asia, Oceania, North/Central America, South America, and Europe. It culminates in an annual final to determine the top club side globally, serving as a precursor to the expanded FIFA Club World Cup set to begin in 2025.
**FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup (Matches 1 and 2)**
The opening phase brings together the winners of the AFC Champions League (Asia) and the OFC Champions League (Oceania). These two teams compete in a one-off playoff, hosted by the higher-ranked club, with the winner advancing to face the CAF Champions League champion (Africa) for the African-Asian-Pacific Cup title.
Match 1 (22 September 2024): Al Ain FC (AFC) defeated Auckland City FC (OFC) 6–2.
Match 2 (29 October 2024): Al Ahly FC (CAF) overcame Al Ain FC (AFC/OFC winner) 3–0 to claim the African-Asian-Pacific Cup and secure progression to the next stage.
**FIFA Derby of the Americas (Match 3)**
This match features the reigning CONCACAF Champions against the CONMEBOL Libertadores champion. The victor moves on to the following stage.
Match 3 (11 December 2024): CF Pachuca (Concacaf) defeated Botafogo (Conmebol) 3–0, earning the right to compete further in the tournament.
**FIFA Challenger Cup (Match 4)**
The African-Asian-Pacific Cup champions face the Derby of the Americas winner on neutral ground. The winner not only claims the Challenger Cup but also advances to the Intercontinental Cup final.
Match 4 (14 December 2024): CF Pachuca (Americas winner) drew 0–0 with Al Ahly FC (African-Asian-Pacific champion) before prevailing 6–5 on penalties to secure the Challenger Cup.
**FIFA Intercontinental Cup (Match 5 – Final)**
The UEFA Champions League winner enters at the final stage, taking on the Challenger Cup champion. This one-off match, held in the same neutral host country as Matches 3 and 4, determines the global club champion for the calendar year.
Match 5 (18 December 2024): Real Madrid C.F. (UEFA Champions League winner) is set to meet CF Pachuca (Challenger Cup winner) in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final.
**Host Nation**
Matches 1 and 2 are hosted by the clubs involved, allowing multiple teams per edition the chance to compete at home. Matches 3, 4, and 5 are staged in Qatar.