FIFA Intercontinental Cup Preview: Who Can Stand at the Top of the World This Year?
Key Highlights Inside | Estimated Read Time: 4 Minutes | Don’t Miss This Epic Showdown!
1.PSG Chases Historic Sextuple: PSG has swept through multiple competitions this season, including Ligue 1, Coupe de France and UEFA Champions League. The only blemish came in a defeat to Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup final, as the club now sets its sights on the historic target of a sextuple. Their strength lies in the diversity and depth of their attacking line-up; with efficient possession play and quick counterattacks, they average more than 2.5 goals per game, demonstrating the team's overall dominance
2.Star Player Showdown: PSG’s forward line is characterized by speed and technique, where the individual brilliance of its core players can turn the tide of a match in an instant. Flamengo, on the other hand, relies on the aerial threat posed by defenders such as Danilo and Pereira—the latter scored twice in the knockout stages. The clash between the two sides’ strengths will stage a classic duel between technical finesse and physicality.
3.Another Clash Between South American and European Football: PSG’s strengths are high pressing and possession control in set-piece situations, boasting an extremely low goals-conceded rate. Flamengo, meanwhile, is known for its solid defense and rapid counterattacks, having kept consecutive clean sheets in the knockout rounds. This key matchup will test the in-game adjustments of the coaches, which will determine who dictates the tempo of the match.
4.Global Attention and Tournament Significance: As the final of the second edition of this new FIFA competition, this match symbolizes the intercontinental integration of club football and has captured the attention of audiences worldwide. PSG’s advantage lies in the resource superiority typical of European giants, while Flamengo represents the vitality and upset potential of South American football, making them capable of springing a surprise.
How to watch FIFA Intercontinental Cup Final PSG vs Flamengo, as well as kick-off time and team news
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How to watch PSG vs Flamengo online - TV channels & free live streams
Click here to watch the match LIVE now! 🔴 ▶️
Click here to watch the match LIVE now! 🔴 ▶️
Location: Al Rayyan, Qatar
Stadium: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium
Date: Wednesday 17 December
Local Kick-off Time: 6:00p.m UTC+1
Referee: Ismail Elfath (USA)
Team news & squads
Predicted Lineups
Paris Saint-Germain team News:
In the past month, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has been at the center of several high-profile developments, blending on-field challenges, legal battles, and strategic expansions. The most prominent story emerged on December 16, when a French labor court ruled that PSG must pay former star Kylian Mbappé over €60 million ($70.5 million) in unpaid wages and bonuses, stemming from a bitter dispute that began earlier in the year. PSG issued an official statement acknowledging the judgment, which they plan to execute while reserving the right to appeal, emphasizing their good faith and wishing Mbappé well in his career at Real Madrid. This resolution marks a significant chapter in the ongoing fallout from Mbappé's departure, with both sides previously claiming hundreds of millions in related disputes.
On the pitch, PSG has faced some turbulence, already recording three losses and three draws this season, raising questions about consistency despite their Ligue 1 dominance. Following a match against Monaco on November 29, manager Luis Enrique granted the squad over three days of rest, resuming training mid-week to recharge amid a packed schedule. Injury updates have been a recurring theme: Ousmane Dembélé, sidelined due to illness and recovery, participated in group training by late November and is in the final phase of his return, though he missed key fixtures like the Champions League trip to Bilbao on December 9 and the Metz away game on December 13. Achraf Hakimi and Désiré Doué continued individual rehabilitation, with Doué expected to return to competition before year's end after indoor training progressed to pitch work. Lucas Beraldo and Chevalier also dealt with rehab, while Marquinhos was managed
cautiously, missing the Metz squad but with the team noting no major rush. Nuno Mendes and Doué returned for Bilbao, bolstering the lineup. Enrique adjusted return protocols, extending high-intensity "crash test" training to minimize injury risks.
Off the field, PSG shone at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025 in Doha on December 16, taking center stage in celebrations.Ousmane Dembélé claimed the 2025 The Best Man's Player honor, while Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique was named The Best FIFA Men's Coach. Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Achraf Hakimi, Dembélé and Vitinha were included in the FIFA World Best XI.
Flamengo team News:
In the past month, Flamengo has dominated headlines with a remarkable run of successes, culminating in their pursuit of global glory at the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. The Brazilian giants kicked off this period by clinching the Copa Libertadores on November 30, defeating Palmeiras 1-0 in Lima, Peru, thanks to a second-half header from Danilo, securing their fourth continental title and showcasing their resilience in high-stakes finals.
Just four days later, on December 4, they added the Brazilian Serie A championship to their haul with a 1-0 victory over Ceara at the Maracana Stadium, where Samuel Lino's goal sealed a five-point lead and marked their ninth national title, making them the fifth Brazilian club to achieve the Serie A-Copa Libertadores double. This rapid succession of triumphs highlighted Flamengo's depth and ability to perform under a grueling schedule, as noted by head coach Filipe Luis, who emphasized the team's aggressive DNA and "special energy" in the dressing room during interviews ahead of international competitions.
Building on this momentum, Flamengo advanced through the FIFA Intercontinental Cup qualifiers in Qatar. On December 10, they edged out Cruz Azul 2-1 in the Derby of the Americas, with Giorgian de Arrascaeta scoring both goals, including a dramatic late chip confirmed by goal-line technology, demonstrating his creative prowess and set-piece mastery. Three days later, on December 13, they secured a 2-0 win over Pyramids FC in the Challenger Cup final, with headers from Léo Pereira and Danilo—both assisted by De Arrascaeta—propelling them to the Intercontinental Cup final and earning the Challenger Cup trophy. These victories extended Flamengo's unbeaten streak to seven matches (W-W-D-W-W), underscoring their balanced attack, solid defense, and threat from dead balls.
Key players like Bruno Henrique, with his pace and big-game experience, and Éverton Cebolinha, providing width and unpredictability, have been pivotal, while the squad remains largely fit, with only minor absences like Allan from the traveling roster to Qatar. No major injuries were reported in this window, though earlier concerns for players like Jorginho and Alex Sandro had resolved by December.
As they prepare for the December 17 final against PSG at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Flamengo eyes a historic treble, blending South American passion with tactical maturity under Luis, who expressed unwavering confidence: "When we wear this shirt, we always aim to win." This period solidifies Flamengo's status as a powerhouse, with fans buzzing over their "special energy" and potential to upset European giants.
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