Photo Credit: Lars Baron – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
The new FIFA Intercontinental Cup begins on Monday, with Auckland City FC representing Oceania following their victory at the OFC Men’s Champions League in Tahiti in May.
With the revamped FIFA Club World Cup kicking off in the United States next year – also featuring Auckland City – the FIFA Intercontinental Cup sees the respective continental champions from across the world taking part in a single-leg knockout competition, culminating in the final on December 18, which will feature UEFA Champions League winners, Real Madrid.
Alongside Auckland City and Real Madrid, four other clubs will participate over the next few months: AFC Champions League winners Al Ain from the United Arab Emirates, CONCACAF Champions Cup winners C.F. Pachuca of Mexico, CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly SC from Egypt and the winners of the 2024 Copa Libertadores in South America, the final of which will take place on November 30.
Albert Riera’s side earned their place in the tournament after their successful campaign earlier this year, where they defeated host nation side AS Pirae 4-0 in the final at Stade Pater in Papeete and will face Al Ain in the first round on Monday.
Find a way past Al Ain and Auckland City would then face Al Ahly SC of Egypt at the end of October. In total, three wins will see them make it to the final, where Real Madrid lie in wait, with the UEFA representative benefitting from the slight format restructure and being given an automatic final berth.
With the New Zealanders also involved in the FIFA Club World Cup next year, there will be no shortage of opportunities to test themselves against some of the best in the world over the next 12 months, with progress in the Intercontinental Cup being first on the agenda.