All About the Intercontinental Cup 2024
The Intercontinental Cup is making a comeback in 2024 after being discontinued in 2004 to make way for the FIFA Club World Cup. Real Madrid and Pachuca will face off in the final on Wednesday, December 18th, marking the return of this historic international trophy. The last winner of this tournament was Porto.
2024 has brought many changes to European and international competitions. With the UEFA Champions League adopting a new format and the creation of the new FIFA Club World Cup, the revival of the historic Intercontinental Cup fills the void left by the now-defunct FIFA Club World Cup.
The Intercontinental Cup features champions from FIFA’s six continental confederations: AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), OFC (Oceania), CONCACAF (North America), CONMEBOL (South America), and UEFA (Europe). The UEFA champion (Champions League winner) advances directly to the final, while the other five teams compete in single-elimination matches to determine the finalist.
Participating teams in this edition include:
- Real Madrid (Spain): UEFA champion
- Botafogo (Brazil): CONMEBOL champion
- Pachuca (Mexico): CONCACAF champion
- Al Ain (UAE): AFC champion
- Al Ahly SC (Egypt): CAF champion
- Auckland City (Australia): OFC champion
Most Successful Teams
Since its inception in 1960, 44 editions have been held. The following teams have won the Intercontinental Cup three times each:
- AC Milan (Italy)
- CA Peñarol (Uruguay)
- CA Boca Juniors (Argentina)
- Real Madrid (Spain)
- Club Nacional (Uruguay)
If Real Madrid wins this edition, they will become the most successful team in the competition’s history. Argentina has the most wins by country with 9, while CONMEBOL leads among confederations with 22 victories.
Top Scorer
The all-time top scorer of the Intercontinental Cup is Pelé, with 7 goals in three matches.
Spanish Teams
Besides Real Madrid, which won the Intercontinental Cup in 1960, 1998, and 2002, Atlético Madrid is the only other Spanish team to claim this title, doing so in 1974.