CAIRO — Al-Ahly, the reigning African Champions League titleholders, has finalized preparations for their highly anticipated showdown against Asian champions Al-Ain in the 2024 FIFA Club World Cup.
The quarter-final match, part of FIFA’s Africa-Asia-Pacific Cup round, will take place on Tuesday at 8:00pm Cairo Local Time at Cairo International Stadium, marking the debut edition of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
A crowd of 52,000 fans is expected to fill the stadium for this much-anticipated intercontinental clash; eager to witness the champions go head-to-head.
If the match ends in a draw, extra time consisting of two 15-minute halves will be played, followed by a penalty shootout if the tie persists.
The victor of the Ahly vs. Ain match will earn two million dollars, while the runner-up will walk away with one million dollars. The winner will move on to face the champion of the ‘Americas Derby,’ featuring Latin American and North American title holders, in the tournament’s semi-finals.
Returning to Cairo International Stadium, this match marks a pivotal moment for Al-Ahly as they continue their global ascent following recent continental successes.
The game will also feature a tactical battle between two prominent coaches: Al-Ahly’s Swiss manager Marcel Koller and Al-Ain’s Argentine head coach Hernan Crespo.
In their final training session, Al-Ahly focused on tactical drills to ensure readiness for this crucial fixture.
Just days ago, the Red Devils claimed their fourth consecutive Egyptian Super Cup title, their 15th overall, defeating Zamalek 7-6 in a dramatic penalty shootout following a goalless draw.
Former Al-Ahly coach Fathi Mabrouk highlighted the importance of this match, stating that both teams will give their all to secure victory.
He emphasized that Al-Ahly’s players and coaching staff are always driven to win titles, and a triumph over Al-Ain would be a significant achievement.
Al-Ahly, the most decorated club in Arab and Egyptian football, qualified for the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup by winning their record 12th CAF Champions League title during the 2023-24 season.
The Egyptian giants have a strong record in intercontinental tournaments, finishing third four times in the previous FIFA Club World Cup format, most recently last year.
Mabrouk also praised Al-Ain, recognizing their formidable status with a history of around 38 titles but reiterated that Al-Ahly will be determined to win.
Al-Ahly secured their 12th CAF Champions League title in May with a 1-0 win over Esperance in the final held in Cairo.
This match marks the fourth time Al-Ahly faces an Emirati team, with previous encounters against Al-Nasr, Al-Wahda, and Al-Wasl, where Al-Ahly won both matches against Al-Nasr and Al-Wahda.
Facing Al-Ain, a top club from the United Arab Emirates, poses a challenging test for the Egyptian giants. Al-Ain earned their place in this clash following a 6-2 victory over New Zealand’s Auckland City at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium last September.
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