{"id":13914,"date":"2025-12-08T09:34:25","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T09:34:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/?p=13914"},"modified":"2025-12-08T09:34:29","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T09:34:29","slug":"the-race-to-qatar-inside-the-2025-intercontinental-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/the-race-to-qatar-inside-the-2025-intercontinental-cup","title":{"rendered":"The Race To Qatar: Inside the 2025 Intercontinental Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/fifa-intercontinental-cup-8268\">FIFA Intercontinental Cup<\/a> is a yearly showdown to decide the best club side on the planet. After the old seven-team <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/club-world-cup-5096\">Club World Cup<\/a> was turned into a 32-team tournament that will run every four years from 2025, FIFA still wanted an annual stage where each continent\u2019s champions could face off. So in 2024, they launched the Intercontinental Cup \u2013 a six-team, knock-out competition bringing together the champions of Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America and Oceania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first edition in 2024, played across the UAE and Qatar, ended with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/real-madrid-131\">Real Madrid<\/a> sweeping past <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/pachuca-1250\">Pachuca<\/a> 3\u20130 in Lusail thanks to goals from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/kylian-mbappe-39820\">Kylian Mbapp\u00e9<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/rodrygo-53912\">Rodrygo<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/vinicius-junior-48298\">Vin\u00edcius J\u00fanior<\/a>, confirming that Europe\u2019s champions still set the global standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#how-the-2025-intercontinental-cup-works\">How the 2025 Intercontinental Cup works<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#cruz-azul-la-maquina-chasing-global-respect\">Cruz Azul vs Flamengo \u2013 Derby of the Americas<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#why-this-game-matters-so-much\">Why this game matters so much<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#pyramids-fc-waiting-in-the-challenger-cup\">Pyramids FC waiting in the Challenger Cup<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#psg-in-the-final-the-giants-watching-everyone-else\">PSG in the final \u2013 the giants watching everyone else<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-the-2025-intercontinental-cup-works\">How the 2025 Intercontinental Cup works<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The 2025 edition keeps the same basic format: six continental champions in a single-elimination bracket, with a couple of twists and extra mini-trophies along the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The six champions involved are:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Europe (UEFA)<\/strong> \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/psg-480\">Paris Saint-Germain<\/a>, winners of the 2024\u201325 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/uefa-champions-league-572\">Champions League<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>South America (CONMEBOL)<\/strong> \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/flamengo-1215\">Flamengo<\/a>, fresh from winning the 2025 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/conmebol-libertadores-102\">Copa Libertadores<\/a> with a 1\u20130 victory over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/palmeiras-1222\">Palmeiras<\/a> in Lima.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>North &amp; Central America (CONCACAF)<\/strong> \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/cruz-azul-1261\">Cruz Azul<\/a>, 2025 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/concacaf-champions-cup-171\">CONCACAF Champions Cup<\/a> winners.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Africa (CAF)<\/strong> \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/pyramids-22143\">Pyramids FC<\/a>, who claimed their first CAF Champions League title earlier this year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Asia (AFC)<\/strong> \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/al-ahli-jeddah-8946\">Al Ahli FC<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Oceania (OFC)<\/strong> \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/team\/auckland-city-8884\">Auckland City FC<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Because UEFA\u2019s champion is considered the top seed, PSG are placed directly into the final, which will be played on 17 December at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The other five confederations fight it out through three stages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>African\u2013Asian\u2013Pacific Cup (First Round)<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/match\/fifa-intercontinental-cup-8268\/auckland-city-pyramids-8884-22143-8268#id=4545975\">Pyramids beat Auckland City 3\u20130<\/a> to advance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Second Round \u2013 \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/match\/fifa-intercontinental-cup-8268\/cruz-azul-flamengo-1215-1261-8268#id=4624929\">Derby of the Americas<\/a>\u201d<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cruz Azul (CONCACAF champions) vs Flamengo (CONMEBOL champions).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Winner earns the Derby of the Americas trophy and a place in the Challenger Cup. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Challenger Cup (Play-off \/ Semi-final)<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pyramids vs winner of Cruz Azul v Flamengo on 13 December.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Winner becomes Challenger Cup champion and advances to the final vs PSG. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>So the path is simple: Cruz Azul or Flamengo must win twice in four days (Derby of the Americas, then Challenger Cup) to earn a date with PSG in the global final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cruz-azul-vs-flamengo-derby-of-the-americas\">Cruz Azul vs Flamengo \u2013 Derby of the Americas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Date:<\/strong> 10 December 2025<br><strong>Venue:<\/strong> Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the game that properly kicks the tournament into life: Mexican giants Cruz Azul against Brazilian powerhouse Flamengo \u2013 two clubs with huge fanbases and a history of drama on big nights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cruz-azul-la-maquina-chasing-global-respect\">Cruz Azul: Chasing global respect<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Cruz Azul come in as CONCACAF champions and representatives of Mexican football on a world stage where <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/liga-mx-141\">Liga MX<\/a> clubs always feel they have something to prove. They\u2019ve already gone through a long continental run; now they finally get a shot at South America\u2019s best in a neutral stadium. For Cruz Azul, this isn\u2019t just about a trophy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It\u2019s a chance to show that CONCACAF\u2019s champions belong in this conversation with the traditional powers from Europe and South America.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s a rare opportunity for their players to make a global impression in front of fans who usually only see them in clips or Club World Cup highlights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Expect a lot of emotion from the Mexican end \u2013 flags, drums, and a feeling that they\u2019re carrying the whole region with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"flamengo-libertadores-kings-on-tour-again\">Flamengo: Libertadores kings on tour again<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Flamengo arrive as fresh double winners with the Copa Libertadores and the Brasileirao  , which already tells you plenty. Their run through South America has been built on big atmospheres, big personalities and with Flamengo being famous for always playing in big games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A few things to know:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Flamengo fans travel \u2013 there will be red-and-black shirts and banners all over Doha.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They\u2019re used to one-off finals after years of continental showpieces.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There\u2019s always a feeling with Flamengo that something dramatic can happen: late goals, comebacks, wild celebrations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/danilo-libertadores-flamengo-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13932\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by Hector Vivas\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-this-game-matters-so-much\">Why this game matters so much<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Derby of the Americas isn\u2019t just a fancy name. The winner gets: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A trophy of its own<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A place in the Challenger Cup against Pyramids FC<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The chance to keep dreaming of a final against PSG<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For Cruz Azul, beating Flamengo would be a statement that echoes across the Americas. For Flamengo, losing here \u2013 after winning South America \u2013 would feel like a huge missed step on what they see as a path to a world title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No deep tactics needed: this one is about who handles the occasion, whose stars shine, and who keeps their nerve when the stadium noise really hits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div data-widget-type=\"predictions\" data-entity-type=\"game\" data-widget-id=\"0.38lkpaqxzfm\" data-lang=\"en-US\" data-entity-id=\"4624929\" data-publisher-id=\"125\" data-show-odds=\"true\" data-live-mode=\"true\" data-odds-type=\"decimal\" data-hide-powered-by=\"true\"><\/div>\n<script src=\"https:\/\/widgets.365scores.com\/main.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-comes-next-in-the-tournament\">What Comes Next in the Tournament?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pyramids-fc-waiting-in-the-challenger-cup\">Pyramids FC waiting in the Challenger Cup<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Standing between the Derby winner and PSG are Pyramids FC, who have quietly put together a dream year:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>First-ever CAF Champions League title<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/caf-super-cup-5581\">African Super Cup<\/a> win thanks to a decisive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/player\/fiston-mayele-129494#competitionId=5581\">Mayele<\/a> goal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Two wins from two in the Intercontinental Cup (3\u20130 vs Auckland City, 3\u20131 vs Al Ahli) to take the African\u2013Asian\u2013Pacific Cup. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>They arrive in Qatar already match-sharp in this competition, settled in the conditions and carrying real belief that an African club can go all the way to the final. Whoever wins Cruz Azul vs Flamengo will have to deal with that momentum just three days later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"psg-in-the-final-the-giants-watching-everyone-else\">PSG in the final \u2013 the giants watching everyone else<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While all of that is happening, PSG are watching from a distance, knowing they only have one game to play \u2013 the final on 17 December. As UEFA Champions League winners, they are automatically placed in the showpiece match at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For them, the Intercontinental Cup is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A chance to lift a global trophy in the same season as Europe\u2019s biggest prize.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A dress rehearsal for the expanded Club World Cup in 2025. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A way to test themselves against a completely different style of opponent than they usually see in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/en-us\/football\/league\/ligue-1-35\">Ligue 1<\/a> or the Champions League.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>And there\u2019s a twist:<br>Whoever reaches that final from the other side \u2013 Cruz Azul, Flamengo or Pyramids \u2013 will have played two intense knockout games in a week. By the time they walk out to face PSG, it\u2019ll be a mix of adrenaline, fatigue and pure emotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"717\" src=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2217990083-1024x717.jpg\" alt=\"Desire Doue of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates after Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain (obscured) scores his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Final 2025 between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Internazionale Milano at Munich Football Arena on May 31, 2025 in Munich, Germany. \" class=\"wp-image-13930\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-bigger-picture\">The Bigger Picture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Intercontinental Cup is still new, but you can already see what FIFA wants it to be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A short, story-driven tournament where each confederation sends its champion,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Extra silverware along the way (African\u2013Asian\u2013Pacific Cup, Derby of the Americas, Challenger Cup),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And a final that really feels like a world title fight, not just a friendly with a nice badge attached. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This year\u2019s version runs through Cruz Azul, Flamengo, Pyramids and PSG. One of them will end December with a new star on their CV \u2013 and the right to say they\u2019re world champions until everyone comes back and does it all again next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"w\">Who will win? Fill the Bracket and share with your friends!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"fifa-bracket-container\" id=\"fifa-bracket\">\n    <style>\n        \/* --- 365Scores Brand Colors --- *\/\n        :root {\n            --blue: #2194FF; \n            --background: #FFFFFF; \/* White Background *\/\n            --font-color: #151E22; \/* Netural Black C Font *\/\n            --red: #FF495C; \n            --yellow: #FFB800; \n            --green: #5BB849; \n            --match-background: rgba(33, 148, 255, 0.05);\n            --match-border: #CCCCCC; \n        }\n\n        \/* --- Global Container and Typography --- *\/\n        .fifa-bracket-container {\n            font-family: 'Inter', Arial, sans-serif;\n            font-size: 0.9em; \n            background-color: var(--background);\n            color: var(--font-color);\n            padding: 25px 15px; \n            border-radius: 8px;\n            overflow-x: auto;\n            min-width: 760px;\n            margin: 0 auto;\n            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class=\"bracket-grid\">\n        <!-- ROUND 1: 2nd Stage -->\n        <div class=\"round round-stage-2\">\n            <h3 class=\"round-title\">2nd Stage<\/h3>\n            \n            <!-- Match 1: Cruz Azul vs Flamengo -->\n            <div class=\"matchup\" data-match-id=\"S2M1\">\n                <div class=\"team-slot\" data-team=\"Cruz Azul\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/football\/team\/cruz-azul-1261\" onclick=\"selectWinner(this, 'S2M1', 'Playoff-W1')\">\n                    <span class=\"team-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/football\/team\/cruz-azul-1261\" target=\"_blank\">Cruz Azul<\/a><\/span>\n                    <span class=\"select-pick\">Pick<\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"team-slot\" data-team=\"Flamengo\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/football\/team\/flamengo-1215\" onclick=\"selectWinner(this, 'S2M1', 'Playoff-W1')\">\n                    <span class=\"team-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/football\/team\/flamengo-1215\" target=\"_blank\">Flamengo<\/a><\/span>\n                    <span class=\"select-pick\">Pick<\/span>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <!-- ROUND 2: PLAYOFFS -->\n        <div class=\"round round-playoffs\">\n            <h3 class=\"round-title\">Playoffs<\/h3>\n            \n            <!-- Match 2: Pyramids vs Winner S2M1 -->\n            <div class=\"matchup\" data-match-id=\"PlayoffM1\">\n                <div class=\"team-slot\" data-team=\"Pyramids\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/football\/team\/pyramids-22143\" onclick=\"selectWinner(this, 'PlayoffM1', 'Final-W1')\">\n                    <span class=\"team-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/football\/team\/pyramids-22143\" target=\"_blank\">Pyramids<\/a><\/span>\n                    <span class=\"select-pick\">Pick<\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"team-slot placeholder\" id=\"Playoff-W1\" data-team=\"\" data-link=\"\" onclick=\"selectWinner(this, 'PlayoffM1', 'Final-W1')\">\n                    <span class=\"team-name\"><a href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\">Winner of 2nd Stage<\/a><\/span>\n                    <span class=\"select-pick\">Pick<\/span> \n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        \n        <!-- ROUND 3: FINAL -->\n        <div class=\"round round-final\">\n            <h3 class=\"round-title\">Final<\/h3>\n            \n            <div class=\"matchup final-matchup\" data-match-id=\"FinalM1\">\n                <div class=\"team-slot\" data-team=\"PSG\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/football\/team\/psg-480\" onclick=\"selectChampion(this)\">\n                    <span class=\"team-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/football\/team\/psg-480\" target=\"_blank\">PSG<\/a><\/span>\n                    <span class=\"select-pick\">Pick<\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"team-slot placeholder\" id=\"Final-W1\" data-team=\"\" data-link=\"\" onclick=\"selectChampion(this)\">\n                    <span class=\"team-name\"><a href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\">Winner of Playoffs<\/a><\/span>\n                    <span class=\"select-pick\">Pick<\/span>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        \n        <!-- CHAMPION -->\n        <div class=\"round round-champion\">\n            <h3 class=\"round-title\">Champion<\/h3>\n            <div class=\"champion-box\">\n                <div class=\"champion-label\">2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup Champion:<\/div>\n                <div class=\"champion-name\" id=\"Champion\">?<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- SHARE BUTTONS SECTION -->\n    <div class=\"share-container\">\n        <p>Share your predictions with friends:<\/p>\n        <div class=\"share-buttons\">\n            <a id=\"share-wa\" class=\"share-btn whatsapp\" href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\">\n                <i aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\udcac<\/i> WhatsApp\n            <\/a>\n            <a id=\"share-tw\" class=\"share-btn twitter\" href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\">\n                <i aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\udc26<\/i> Twitter\/X\n            <\/a>\n            <a id=\"share-fb\" class=\"share-btn facebook\" href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\">\n                <i aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\udc4d<\/i> Facebook\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<script>\n    \/\/ Global object to store the winners of each match\n    const winners = {};\n    const initialPlaceholderText = {\n        'Playoff-W1': 'Winner of 2nd Stage',\n        'Final-W1': 'Winner of Playoffs'\n    };\n    const defaultChampionName = \"My Champion\";\n\n    function updateShareLinks(championName) {\n        const url = encodeURIComponent(window.location.href);\n        const text = encodeURIComponent(`Check out my 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup Bracket predictions! I picked ${championName} to win the cup. Make your picks here:`);\n        \n        document.getElementById('share-wa').href = `whatsapp:\/\/send?text=${text} ${url}`;\n        document.getElementById('share-tw').href = `https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=${text}&url=${url}`;\n        document.getElementById('share-fb').href = `https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=${url}&quote=${text}`;\n    }\n\n    function selectWinner(selectedTeamSlot, currentMatchId, nextMatchupSlotId) {\n        if (selectedTeamSlot.classList.contains('placeholder') && selectedTeamSlot.getAttribute('data-team') === '') return;\n\n        const matchupDiv = selectedTeamSlot.closest('.matchup');\n        const allTeamSlots = matchupDiv.querySelectorAll('.team-slot');\n\n        allTeamSlots.forEach(slot => {\n            slot.classList.remove('winner');\n            if (slot !== selectedTeamSlot) {\n                if (currentMatchId !== 'S2M1') slot.classList.add('placeholder');\n            }\n        });\n\n        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nextSlot.classList.remove('placeholder');\n    }\n\n    function clearDownstreamWinner(currentMatchId) {\n        let targetMatchId;\n        \n        if (currentMatchId === 'S2M1') {\n            targetMatchId = 'PlayoffM1';\n        } else if (currentMatchId === 'PlayoffM1') {\n            targetMatchId = 'FinalM1';\n        } else {\n            return;\n        }\n\n        if (winners[targetMatchId] || targetMatchId === 'FinalM1' && document.getElementById('Champion').textContent !== '?') {\n            \n            if(winners[targetMatchId]) delete winners[targetMatchId];\n\n            const targetMatchupDiv = document.querySelector(`.matchup[data-match-id=\"${targetMatchId}\"]`);\n            if (targetMatchupDiv) {\n                targetMatchupDiv.querySelectorAll('.team-slot').forEach(slot => {\n                    slot.classList.remove('winner');\n                    \n                    const slotID = slot.id;\n                    const isIncomingSlot = slotID in initialPlaceholderText;\n\n                    if (isIncomingSlot) {\n                        const anchorElement = slot.querySelector('.team-name a');\n                        \n                        anchorElement.textContent = initialPlaceholderText[slotID];\n                        anchorElement.href = '#';\n                        slot.setAttribute('data-team', '');\n                        slot.setAttribute('data-link', '');\n                        slot.classList.add('placeholder');\n                    }\n                });\n            }\n\n            if (targetMatchId === 'FinalM1') {\n                document.getElementById('Champion').textContent = '?';\n                document.querySelectorAll('.final-matchup .team-slot').forEach(slot => {\n                    slot.classList.remove('winner');\n                });\n                updateShareLinks(defaultChampionName);\n            }\n\n            clearDownstreamWinner(targetMatchId);\n        }\n    }\n    \n    function selectChampion(selectedTeamSlot) {\n        if (selectedTeamSlot.classList.contains('placeholder') && selectedTeamSlot.getAttribute('data-team') === '') return;\n\n        const matchupDiv = selectedTeamSlot.closest('.matchup');\n        const allTeamSlots = matchupDiv.querySelectorAll('.team-slot');\n        const championBox = document.getElementById('Champion');\n\n        allTeamSlots.forEach(slot => {\n            slot.classList.remove('winner');\n        });\n\n        selectedTeamSlot.classList.add('winner');\n\n        const championName = selectedTeamSlot.getAttribute('data-team');\n        \n        championBox.textContent = championName;\n        championBox.style.color = 'var(--font-color)';\n        \n        winners['Champion'] = { name: championName, link: selectedTeamSlot.getAttribute('data-link') };\n        \n        \/\/ Update share links immediately after champion is selected\n        updateShareLinks(championName);\n    }\n\n    \/\/ Initial setup \n    document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => {\n        \/\/ Ensure all initial TBD slots start as placeholder\n        document.querySelectorAll('#Playoff-W1, #Final-W1').forEach(slot => {\n            slot.classList.add('placeholder');\n        });\n        \n        \/\/ Initialize share links with a default message\n        updateShareLinks(defaultChampionName);\n    });\n<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The FIFA Intercontinental Cup is a yearly showdown to decide the best club side on the planet. After the old seven-team Club World Cup was turned into a 32-team tournament that will run every four years from 2025, FIFA still wanted an annual stage where each continent\u2019s champions could face off. So in 2024, they &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":13929,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[2862,2906,1025,60],"class_list":["post-13914","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-soccer","tag-copa-libertadores","tag-fifa-intercontinental-cup","tag-flamengo","tag-psg","article_type-news","article_type-seo","entity_type-competition","entity_type-match","inspiration-365s-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13914","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13914"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13914\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14092,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13914\/revisions\/14092"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13929"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13914"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13914"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13914"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}