Courtois wants to win a prize that no one knows the value of yet and which provokes criticism due to an “unfair” format

Should there be more Football? According to FIFA, yes. The final of the Intercontinental Cup is suddenly scheduled for tonight in Qatar. A prize that only finalists Real Madrid and Pachuca seem to be concerned about. Because is this dusted off concept still the coronation of the ‘world champion’ at the clubs?

“I think it is important to have this intercontinental event. To determine who was the best in 2024. It is big. Of course, with the calendar it is not always easy to fit these competitions in, but I think we all excited to play that final.”

These are the words of Thibaut Courtois – owner of the most impressive trophy cabinet ever in Belgian football and still just as ambitious to add new trophies.

Tonight the goalkeeper gets an excellent opportunity to do so. With Real Madrid, Courtois is in the final of the very first FIFA Intercontinental Cup, in which the six champions of the continental football associations participate.

Due to the overcrowded playing calendar, it is not surprising that global interest is relatively low. Or will you rush home to watch the final between Real and Mexican Pachuca at 6 p.m.?

It doesn’t help that the value of this tournament is difficult to estimate.

Because how can this be reconciled with the new four-yearly Club World Cup XL that FIFA has been hooting so loudly about in recent months? According to the organization, the winner of the Intercontinental Cup will join the list of club world champions, but one that feels like a light version.

UEFA representative Real Madrid received a direct ticket to the final. “Unfair,” said many observers from other continents.

Because why is a Champions League rated higher than, for example, the South American Copa Libertadores? Opponent Pachuca first had to beat the Brazilian Botafogo and the Egyptian Al Ahly for his place in the final.

For comparison: the winner of the upgraded Club World Cup XL will have to play/win no fewer than 7 matches next year. And that in a much stronger field of participants. A huge contrast with Real’s short ‘road to glory’ now.

We cannot escape the impression that FIFA was somewhat forced to maintain its annual agreement with club football, on top of the successful upgrade of the Club World Cup.

There is a good chance that the Intercontinental Cup will bring back memories for many (older) football fans.

Because in the past there was already an international prize with the same name and approximately the same concept. According to tradition, the president of the Brazilian Football Federation and a French journalist came up with the idea of ​​organizing a super match in 1958.

More specifically between the winner of the Copa Libertadores and the then European Cup I with a double confrontation on both continents.

For the fans and the media, the winner was the unofficial “club world champion”, but that was not to FIFA’s liking. The World Football Association protested against that claim, arguing that teams from other continents could not participate.

It was not until 2000 that FIFA would revive a ‘real’ global Club World Cup. Another 17 years later, all previous winners of the Intercontinental Cup are officially recognized as world champions.