Background and Significance
The last time a South American team triumphed over a European side in a final was in 2012. Flamengo, the Brazilian football club, seeks to change this 13-year drought by becoming the first South American team to defeat a European side in the final of the FIFA-backed Copa Intercontinental. The match will take place on Wednesday at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
Teams’ Recent Achievements
Flamengo enters the match as the reigning Copa Libertadores champions, having also won the Brazilian Serie A. They overcame Cruz Azul from CONCACAF and Pyramids from Africa in their path to the final. PSG, on the other hand, will be playing their first match in the tournament.
Historical Context
The Copa Intercontinental was played annually between the winners of the Copa Libertadores and UEFA Champions League from 1960 to 2004. FIFA revived this tournament in 2024, featuring champions from all six continental confederations. This new format replaced the FIFA Club World Cup, which had 32 teams competing in summer.
Recent Dominance of Brazilian Teams
Brazilian teams have had a strong presence in the Copa Libertadores, with Flamengo, Palmeiras, Fluminense, and Botafogo winning the tournament in recent years. However, this dominance has not translated to global success.
Team Strengths and Project Solidity
Both Flamengo and PSG have demonstrated the strength of their projects in 2025, each winning five titles. Flamengo secured the Brazilian league and supercopa, Copa Libertadores, Derbi de las Américas, and Challenger Cup. They also won the Brazilian cup against Atlético Mineiro in November 2024.
PSG won the French league, cup, and supercopa, as well as the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup. Though they narrowly missed a sixth title in the summer’s Club World Cup, losing to Chelsea, they now have a chance to win their first Copa Intercontinental.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the significance of this match for Flamengo? This match presents an opportunity for CONMEBOL to overcome UEFA in an official tournament after more than a decade. Flamengo’s victory would be a historic achievement, though it is not viewed as an obligation in Brazil.
- How have Brazilian teams fared historically in FIFA-backed tournaments? Despite their success in the Copa Libertadores, Brazilian teams have struggled to translate that dominance into global success. Factors such as player turnover and grueling schedules have contributed to this disparity.
- What are the key strengths of both teams going into this match? Flamengo boasts a competitive squad led by manager Filipe Luís, a former player who understands the club’s culture. PSG, meanwhile, has a high-valued squad ($1.397 billion according to Transfermarkt) and is led by experienced manager Luis Enrique, who has worked with top European clubs like Barcelona and Spain’s national team.
