SC
Doha
The FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 has come to a much-anticipated finale at Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar. More than 67,000 fans flocked to the iconic Qatar 2022 stadium to see Spanish giants Real Madrid claim the title with a 3-0 win against Mexican team Pachuca.
A number of cultural activities took place prior to the match in the stadium fan zone to mark the anniversary of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which took place at the same venue exactly two ago.
"Once again, Qatar has successfully hosted a global sporting event using world-class sporting infrastructure, while providing fans with a rich and unique cultural and sporting experience. The FIFA Intercontinental Cup further cements the country’s place as a global sporting capital,” said HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, Minister of Sports and Youth and Chairman of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 Local Organizing Committee (LOC).
The tournament saw continental club champions compete for the title of the best club in the world with a new look format. Six clubs originally competed, with a total of three trophies up for grabs in the final phase of the competition which was held in Doha between 11-18 December. Matches were held at two iconic Qatar 2022 venues, the 90-000-capacity Lusail Stadium, and 40-000-capacity, Stadium 974.
"The tournament showcased the tremendous capabilities we have in hosting mega events yet again. We continue to leverage a strong base of state-of-the-art facilities and operational expertise to further Qatar’s position as a leading destination for some of the world’s biggest events,” HE added.
The tournament also featured a number of innovative accessibility options to provide a barrier free experience to disabled fans. Audio descriptive commentary (ADC) was available at all three matches, allowing blind and partially sighted fans with the ability to listen to a detailed description of events during the match using a dedicated app. Lusail Stadium also featured a sensory room, which provided fans with sensory needs with the ability to watch the match from a quieter environment, designed with assistive technology.
HE said: "We believe that football is for everyone. With every major event we host, we ensure they are accessible to everyone, while also guaranteeing that these events create a positive legacy for the society.”
Since hosting the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world in 2022, Qatar has hosted a number of large sporting events. This includes the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, which broke records for fan attendance and digital engagement. Recently FIFA announced the dates of the first of five consecutive FIFA U17 World Cups to be hosted by Qatar annually. The elite youth tournament will take place between 5-22 November 2025. Qatar will also host the FIFA Arab Cup in 2025, 2029 and 2033.
Qatar’s next marquee event will be the 2024 Trophée des Champions on 5 January 2025 at Stadium 974. The French Super Cup will bring together Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Coupe de France winners Monaco.