(foto: Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain face Flamengo in the Intercontinental Cup final in Doha, aiming to cap a historic season with a world title and become the first French club to lift the trophy.
Paris Saint-Germain have one more step to take to turn an already historic year into something truly unforgettable.
On Wednesday evening in Doha (kick-off at 18:00 CET), PSG face Flamengo in the final of the Intercontinental Cup, with a place in football history at stake.
After winning the Champions League for the first time in May, the Parisian club now has the opportunity to become world champions — a feat no French club has ever achieved.
Standing in their way is Flamengo, the reigning South American champions and a club with deep roots in this competition.
The Brazilian giants lifted the Intercontinental Cup back in 1981, when a legendary generation led by Zico and Júnior famously defeated Liverpool. This time, Flamengo arrive in Doha after a season in which they conquered both the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian championship.
The current format of the Intercontinental Cup is relatively new.
FIFA revived the competition last year after expanding the traditional Club World Cup into a 32-team summer tournament. Under the revised structure, the European champions qualify directly for the final.
PSG therefore enter the decisive match fresh, while Flamengo had to overcome Cruz Azul and Pyramids to earn their place in the showdown.
Despite their status as favourites, PSG head coach Luis Enrique insists that the hunger for trophies has not faded.
“Making history was our goal last year, and now we want to continue,” Enrique said ahead of the final.
“Every final is different. Flamengo are a very high-quality team, so we expect a close and demanding match.”
South American clubs traditionally approach this competition with enormous emotional intensity, but PSG are taking nothing for granted.
The French champions rested several key players in their most recent league fixture and will arrive in Doha with a strong starting XI, despite the absence of the injured Achraf Hakimi.
Victory would not only bring prestige, but also the right to wear the FIFA world champions badge on their shirts for the next year — a powerful symbol of PSG’s new era.
For Flamengo, a win would reaffirm that South American football remains capable of competing with Europe’s elite on the biggest stage.
Probable line-ups:
PSG: Chevalier – Zaïre-Emery, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes – João Neves, Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz – Barcola, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.
Flamengo: Rossi – Varela, Danilo, Léo Pereira, Alex Sandro – Pulgar, Jorginho – Carrascal, De Arrascaeta, Everton – Bruno Henrique.
Intercontinental Cup explained
With the introduction of the expanded Club World Cup, FIFA did not abolish the Intercontinental Cup, which had served for two decades as the decisive tournament for the world’s best club.
The competition now runs annually from September to December, with Qatar hosting the final stage. The European champion enters directly at the final, playing just one match.
The first edition under the new format was won by Real Madrid, who defeated Pachuca 3–0 in last year’s final.
The financial incentives are significant: the winner earns $5 million, the runner-up $4 million, third place $2 million and fourth place $1 million.
Tonight in Doha, PSG have the chance to add the final piece to a season that has already redefined the club’s identity.