Qatar will host the final three matches of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026, with the tournament culminating in the final on December 16, when defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will take on the FIFA Challenger Cup winners.FIFA has confirmed that the concluding fixtures of the annual club competition will be played on December 9, 12 and 16, bringing together continental champions from across the six confederations in the race for the title. This will be the third consecutive year that Qatar has hosted the final stages, following the 2024 and 2025 editions.The FIFA Derby of the Americas and FIFA Challenger Cup will be staged at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, while Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan will host the final.PSG, who won the competition in Qatar in December 2025, will enter the final as defending champions after Real Madrid lifted the trophy in the inaugural edition under the current format in 2024.
Three decisive matches in Qatar
The FIFA Derby of the Americas will open the Qatar leg on Wednesday, December 9, with Toluca FC, the Concacaf Champions Cup winners, facing the winners of the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.The victors will return to the same venue on Saturday, December 12, to meet African champions Mamelodi Sundowns FC in the FIFA Challenger Cup. The winner of that contest will secure a place in the final against PSG on Wednesday, December 16.The competition features five single-leg matches in total, with the opening two fixtures taking place at the home stadiums of participating clubs as determined by FIFA rankings. The final three matches will be played in Qatar, with four trophies available across the tournament.
Mamelodi Sundowns advance after defeating Al Ahli
The 2026 competition began in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on August 26, when AFC Champions League winners Al Ahli FC defeated OFC Champions League winners Auckland FC 1-0 in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Play-off.CAF Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns then beat Al Ahli FC 2-1 in Pretoria, South Africa, on September 19, winning the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup and booking their place in the FIFA Challenger Cup.Sundowns will now await the winner of the Derby of the Americas for a shot at reaching the final.With PSG already assured of a place in the title decider, the three December fixtures in Qatar will determine which clubs from the Americas and Africa progress to challenge the European champions for the 2026 crown.
