Football fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the inaugural edition of the Club World Cup or the Intercontinental Cup. Manchester City was the last team to win the old Club World Cup, and a new version will be held every four years.
**What is the Intercontinental Cup 2024?**
On December 16, 2022, the FIFA Council approved the expansion of the Club World Cup from 7 to 32 teams starting in 2025, making the 2023 edition the last held in the previous format. However, continental federations expressed to FIFA the need to continue having top club champions compete annually to "stimulate competitiveness." Thus, on March 14, 2023, FIFA's council approved the concept of an annual club tournament starting in 2024, which was later named the Intercontinental Club World Cup.
This tournament will feature champions from the six FIFA-affiliated continental leagues, namely the AFC Champions League, CAF Champions League, CONCACAF Champions League, Copa Libertadores, OFC Champions League, and UEFA Champions League.
**When is the Intercontinental Cup 2024?**
FIFA has not announced a specific date for the Intercontinental Cup 2024; however, it is expected to take place at the end of this year, specifically in December 2024.
**Where will the Intercontinental Cup 2024 be held?**
The tournament will not be hosted in a specific country as is customary for the Club World Cup; rather, the early rounds will be held at the home ground of one of the participating teams. However, the semifinals and final will be played at a neutral venue to be determined later.
**What is the format of the Intercontinental Cup 2024?**
The Intercontinental Club World Cup serves as a replacement for the annual Club World Cup, which has been restructured to take place every four years with a larger number of participating teams. The name of this tournament is inspired by the previous Intercontinental Club World Cup held last in 2004 between the UEFA Champions League and Copa Libertadores champions.
The Intercontinental Club World Cup will grant a direct exemption to the final for the winner of the UEFA Champions League, with the match schedule as follows:
- **First Round**: The winner of the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League (or the 2023-2024 CAF Champions League based on the draw) hosts the 2024 OFC Champions League winner.
- **Second Round**: The winner of the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League (or the 2023-2024 CAF Champions League) hosts the winner of the first round. The winner of the 2024 CONCACAF Champions League will play against the winner of the 2024 Copa Libertadores at one of the teams' home grounds.
- **Semifinals**: The two winners from the second round will meet at a neutral venue.
- **Final**: The winner of the playoff match will face the UEFA Champions League champion 2023-2024 at a neutral venue.
**Which teams are participating in the Intercontinental Cup 2024?**
Al Ahly of Egypt qualified after winning the CAF Champions League on the same day that Al Ain of the UAE reached the tournament by winning the AFC Champions League. Auckland City won the OFC Champions League, with three spots still remaining.
