Latest news with #IntercontinentalCup
Saba Yemen
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Saba Yemen
FIFA approves Qatar as host for 2025 Club World Cup
Zurich - Saba: The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) approved on Friday Qatar's hosting of the Copa America, the Challenge Cup, and the Intercontinental Cup final as part of the 2025 Club World Cup. This marks the second consecutive time Qatar will host the tournament. Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli will participate in the tournament, beginning their campaign in the second match at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah on September 23, 2025. They will face the winner of the first match between Egypt's Pyramids FC (CAF Champions League winners) and New Zealand's Auckland City (Oceania champions), scheduled for September 14 at Cairo's Air Defense Stadium. The winner will directly qualify for the unified tournament in Doha, where they will face the Copa America champion on December 13. (The Copa America final will be held on December 10 between Mexico's Cruz Azul, CONCACAF champions, and the yet-to-be-determined South American champion.) The winner will advance to the tournament final on December 17, where they will face France's Paris Saint-Germain, the UEFA Champions League winners. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
Al-Ahram Weekly
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Pyramids FC start Intercontinental Cup 2025 campaign against Auckland City mid-September - Egyptian Football
Egyptian CAF Champions League winners Pyramids FC will begin their 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup campaign against New Zealand's Auckland City FC on 14 September. The Egyptian side secured their spot in the prestigious tournament after clinching the CAF Champions League title, defeating South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 on aggregate in the final. In addition to their Intercontinental Cup berth, Pyramids FC also qualified for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. FIFA officially notified Pyramids FC of the Intercontinental Cup fixture dates in a letter sent on Friday. The match will take place at Air Defense Stadium in Cairo on 14 September, with the winner set to face Asian Champions League winners Ahli Jeddah of Saudi Arabia on 23 September. Pyramids FC made history last season by securing their first-ever African title. After drawing 1-1 in the first leg in Pretoria, they triumphed 2-1 in the second leg at home, sealing a 3-2 aggregate win over Mamelodi Sundowns. The team's victory marked a milestone as they became the fourth Egyptian club to win the prestigious title, joining the ranks of Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily. The FIFA Intercontinental Cup, which debuted in 2024 in Qatar, features the club champions from each of FIFA's six confederations. The competition follows a knockout format, with the European champion receiving a bye to the final. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pachuca ace reveals praise from Florentino Perez ahead of Real Madrid clash: ‘He told me to keep it up'
Pachuca ace reveals praise from Florentino Perez ahead of Real Madrid clash: 'He told me to keep it up' Real Madrid faced Pachuca just back in December in the final of the Intercontinental Cup, a competition that was formerly known as the Club World Cup. They are now playing in the new version of the Club World Cup and once again find themselves pitted against Pachuca, albeit in the group stages this time. Advertisement When the two teams met in December, Los Blancos swept the opponents away with a 3-0 win but it was anything but easy as Pachuca punched above their weight and delivered a strong fight. One Mexican star who caught the world's eye in particular was Elias Montiel, the 19-year-old monster who racked up three key passes and even had a shot blocked against Real Madrid on the night. The young star speaks out Speaking to the media in a recent interview, the Mexican starlet commented on the face-off against Real Madrid in the Intercontinental Cup last year and how he had a performance of a lifetime despite the final result. Advertisement 'It's something I still don't quite assimilate but yes, remembering that is very nice. Being surrounded by figures and reaching that final. We surprised a lot of people in that tournament,' he said modestly. He then revealed how Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had special words for him after the game and the praises he showered. 'Yes, after passing the protocol of delivering the trophy and so on, I got off the podium and crossed where the directives and important people of Qatar were,' he began. 'As I passed by I greeted Florentino but he stopped me because he grabbed my hand tightly and there I was very surprised, I didn't know how to act,' he added. Elias Montiel will face Real Madrid this weekend. (Photo by) Advertisement On the exact praises that the Real Madrid president had for him, Montiel said, 'He told me that he had talked to several of his friends there about me, that they had spoken well of me, and that he had really liked how I had played.' 'That what they had told him about me were not lies (smiles). He told me to keep it up, looking forward to it and growing. I thanked him,' he added. The player then went on to speak about his role models and the players he idolised in the world of football. 'I've always liked Iniesta a lot. His way of seeing the game and how smart he is.' 'And currently, Pedri and Vitinha are the ones I pay attention to the most, they are one of those players from whom you try to grab certain things to feed me from their football,' he added. Advertisement The young talent then spoke on the impending challenge against Real Madrid this weekend and how it would be a special game, especially facing the likes of Luka Modric who will be playing one of his final games as a Real Madrid player. 'It's impressive to be with these soccer players, they are world legends, and it gives you a huge motivation. Those players you saw as a little kid in FIFA.' Finally, he was asked if he would be in Europe to showcase his talent soon, especially with Real Madrid's president speaking highly of him. 'Yes, I have that goal well set, I want to fulfil that dream. I don't know if it will happen this summer or already in winter, but it's my goal,' he concluded. Source: AS
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Suspensions not a concern for River Plate's Marcelo Gallardo after Monterrery draw
River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo speaking to his players during the 0-0 2025 Club World Cup Group E draw with Monterrey on June 21 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. PHOTO: REUTERS LOS ANGELES – River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo is confident he can still field a team capable of defeating Inter Milan in his side's final Group E game at the Club World Cup, despite losing several players due to suspension. Gallardo saw Kevin Castano sent off in the latter stages of the 0-0 draw at the Rose Bowl with Monterrey on June 21, while yellow cards for Enzo Perez and Giuliano Galoppo mean the pair will also miss the meeting with the Italian side on June 25 in Seattle. River Plate are one of South America's most successful clubs, winning the Copa Libertadores on four occasions, as well as the Intercontinental Cup in 1986. Their draw with Monterrey means the Argentinian side are level on four points with Inter Milan in Group E. The two teams are due to face off in their final group game on June 25. Monterrey are third in the standings, two points behind Inter and River Plate, and a win over already-eliminated Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan could see the Mexican side climb into the qualification berths for the knockout rounds. Said River coach Marcelo Gallardo: 'We have some players that we're going to be missing. We, of course, had some yellow cards and there are several players who won't be able to play in the next game, so we will have to see how we organise that. 'But I see the glass as half full because, if you look at the scores, every club, every team has had its problems. It was hard for Inter to win, it was hard for Monterrey too, so for our third game we're going to go with the best we have and we're going to be optimistic. 'Today we deserved to win. Our level was better, and for the next game we will do the same.' Earlier on June 21, Inter came from behind to beat Urawa, while Borussia Dortmund held off Mamelodi Sundowns to win a seven-goal thriller. Fluminense rallied in the second half to beat Ulsan 4-2 and knock out the South Korean side. Ryoma Watanabe got an early opening goal for Urawa, who were backed by a noisy contingent of their supporters at Lumen Field in Seattle. But captain Lautaro Martinez had got Inter's equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Monterrey in their first match at the tournament, and he repeated the trick to level matters here with 12 minutes to go. Carboni, the 20-year-old Argentine who had not made an appearance for Inter in more than two years, then appeared in the 92nd minute to give the Italians the victory. 'Our opponents play with their hearts and to counter that as a team we need to play with more pride, be humble and know how to suffer,' Martinez told broadcaster Dazn, after Inter were made to work for the victory. Urawa's coach Maciej Skorza added: 'Our emotion is very bad after this game. We are out of the tournament, so now we can only fight in the last game to achieve our one and only win.' In Group F, Jobe Bellingham said his first goal for Dortmund was a surreal experience as the new signing from Sunderland made an immediate impact at the Club World Cup. Bellingham scored the third goal in Dortmund's 4-3 win over South Africa's Sundowns at the TQL Stadium and was named Man of the Match. 'It's a little bit surreal really when the ball hits in the net, it's just crazy,' the 19-year-old said English midfielder said. 'Everything happened so slowly but yeah I'm really pleased.' Coach Niko Kovac said he was delighted with the form of Bellingham. 'He is among those who are the future of this club,' the Dortmund boss said of the £27 (S$46.7 million) million signing. Dortmund's other goals came via Felix Nmecha, Serhou Guirassy and an Khuliso Mudau own goal. The Sundowns scorers were Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Iqraam Rayners and Lebo Mothiba. South Korea's Ulsan gave Fluminense a real scare at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, leading 2-1 until the 66th minute before the Brazilians ran out 4-2 winners, eliminating the K-League champions in the process. Fluminense lead Dortmund at the top of Group F on goal difference. Both are on four points after two matches. Lee Jin-hyun and Um Won-sang's first half goals were sandwiched by Jhon Arias' before a late rally from the Brazilian side produced strikes by Nonato, Juan Freytes and Keno. REUTERS, AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Hans India
We won't be as tired as we were in Intercontinental: Pachuca striker Rondon ahead of Madrid clash
Charlotte: Pachuca striker Salomon Rondon said his team will be better prepared to face Real Madrid at the FIFA Club World Cup than when the sides met in last year's Intercontinental Cup final. Madrid won that match 3-0 against a Pachuca team that struggled with a heavy schedule. "We already know what it's like to face Real Madrid, although this time we won't be as tired as we were in the Intercontinental Cup final, where it was clear we were coming off two extremely demanding matches," Rondon was quoted by Xinhua ahead of Sunday's game in Charlotte "There will be a noticeable difference in that regard, and I think it will be a great match to watch." The Mexican side must win to keep alive its hopes of reaching the knockout stage after a 2-1 loss to Salzburg in their Group H opener. Madrid, meanwhile, was held to a 1-1 draw by Al-Hilal in their first game. Rondon, a key figure in Pachuca's 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup triumph, said he is embracing his role as a mentor to his younger teammates. "I love being of help. We have a young squad, but one that's eager to progress," the 35-year-old said, adding that he is taking the tournament "very seriously". "Participating in this tournament means a lot to me. We represent Mexico and CONCACAF, but also, in my case, Venezuela. You see the level of the other participants and realize the magnitude, which is why we approach the tournament with the utmost respect," he said. Meanwhile, Real Madrid's centre back Dean Huijsen, who has joined the club for seasons earlier this month, said, 'It's a dream come true for me. I think every kid dreams of playing for Real Madrid. It's the greatest club in the world and I'm so happy and really proud to be here." 'It's a great group and there's real togetherness in the dressing room. We're thrilled to have Xabi Alonso here as well. I think he has loads of good ideas and we're going to have some great years together. We are Real Madrid. We have to win and I think we're going to do just that," he added.
