Real Madrid vs Pachuca: FIFA Intercontinental Cup Final – Team News, Mbappe | Football news

The staging of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final in Doha marks two years since Qatar hosted the World Cup final at the Lusail Stadium.

WHO: Real Madrid vs Pachuca
What: FIFA Intercontinental Cup Final
Where: Lusail Stadium, Doha, Qatar
When: 20:00 (17:00 GMT) on Wednesday 18 December
Follow Al Jazeera’s live text and photo coverage and commentary.

European champions Real Madrid will aim for a record sixth global crown when they take part in the inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup against Mexico’s Pachuca in the final to be played in Qatar on Wednesday.

The Champions League holders and Europe’s most successful club team qualified directly for the tournament’s showpiece final as UEFA continental champions.

Pachuca are the underdogs – but they have capped off a brilliant 12-month run of form with an impressive performance in Doha.

The newly branded intercontinental competition has replaced the FIFA Club World Cup and will be held annually for the six continental champions as part of FIFA’s new global club competition format. The Club World Cup has now expanded to 32 of the best club teams from around the world and will be held every four years.

Real Madrid are no strangers to one #FIFAIntercontinentalCup finally! pic.twitter.com/SFwBW3L2MH

— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) 17 December 2024

As winners of the CONCACAF Continental Cup (for teams in North America, Central America and the Caribbean Confederation), Pachuca’s chances of victory against Real Madrid should not be dismissed lightly.

Their 3-0 drubbing of Botafogo on Thursday in the Derby of the Americas was a shock result with the Brazilian giants favorites going into the game.

No less impressive was Pachuca’s victory on penalties against African powerhouse Al Ahly in the final round to lift the Challenger Cup, sealing the Mexican club’s best ever result in a FIFA tournament.

Real Madrid, who have won the FIFA Club World Cup five times (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022), will once again be favorites for Wednesday night’s final.

The squad is stacked with unrivaled world-class talent at club level, including Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior.

The final will be played at the Lusail Stadium and marks two years since Qatar hosted the World Cup final, where Argentina beat France.

News about the Real Madrid team

Mbappe has been cleared to play in the final – but whether the thigh injury that threatened his participation will allow him to start remains to be seen. The French star limped out of the 3-2 win at Atalanta in the Champions League last Wednesday.

Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Eder Militao are all absent with long-term knee injuries. Ferland Mendy is also out of action.

Pachuca team news

Pachuca coach Guillermo Almada have no new injury problems in the game and could keep the same XI that overcame Al Ahly on Sunday.

Salomon Rondon, 35, who had a long career in the English Premier League with Newcastle United, Everton and West Bromwich Albion, is the star name and was the man of the match in his side’s CONCACAF win against the Columbus Crew.

Where can I watch and follow the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Final?

Regional broadcasters and online streaming platforms will televise the game live.

Al Jazeera Sport will run a live text commentary stream and photo coverage of the match.