European Champions League winners Real Madrid will play in Qatar in the final of the first edition of the annual FIFA Intercontinental Cup, world football’s governing body has announced.

The competition, for club teams from around the world, will have five matches, culminating in the final on December 18, for which the Spanish giants automatically qualify.

The day of the final is also celebrated as Qatar’s National Day while it also marks the two-year anniversary of the 2022 World Cup final where Argentina beat France.

The tournament, which was announced in December last year, replaces the annual Club World Cup which will now be played every four years with 32 teams from 2025.

“The opportunity to host another prestigious football tournament is testament to Qatar’s ability of delivering world-class sport events,” Minister for Youth and Sports, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani said in a statement.

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