PSG squad pose for a photo ahead of their departure to Doha yesterday for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025 final against Flamengo. PIC: PSG
Doha, Qatar: Reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain will face CR Flamengo in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025 final, with head coach Luis Enrique expecting a stern test against the in-form Brazilian side.
As per the tournament format, the Parisians qualified directly for Wednesday’s title clash at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium after lifting the UEFA Champions League.
Flamengo, meanwhile, arrive in the final on the back of an outstanding year, having already secured the FIFA Derby of the Americas with a 2-1 victory over Mexico’s Cruz Azul, before defeating Egypt’s Pyramids FC 2-0 in the FIFA Challenger Cup in Qatar to book their place in the decider.
Head coach Luis Enrique. Pic: X / PSG
Enrique, whose side edged Metz 3-2 in Ligue 1 on Saturday night, described the Intercontinental Cup as an important objective for PSG. He rested several key players in the league match, leaving Bradley Barcola, Joao Neves, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier on the bench in preparation for the final.
PSG have nevertheless travelled to Qatar with a full-strength squad, with in-form players such as Nuno Mendes, Desire Doue, Joao Neves and Kvaratskhelia all available. Ballon d’Or 2025 winner Ousmane Dembele, who missed the Metz match due to illness, has also been named in the 22-player squad for the final.
“It’s a very important objective,” Enrique said after the win over Metz.
“Unfortunately, we’re going to be playing against one of the best teams in the competition. They have a very good team; we saw their qualities last summer at the Club World Cup,” he added, referring to Flamengo.
“It will be a very close match, with a lot of challenges because they have quality players, both technically and physically, with experience. They will be a very difficult opponent.”
The Parisians will, however, be without Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi, who is sidelined with an ankle injury.
On the other side, Flamengo head coach Filipe Luis expressed hope that his team can maintain their winning momentum as they prepare for the final.
European champions Paris Saint-Germain arrive in Doha ahead of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025 final against South American giants CR Flamengo at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on December 17, 2025.#Qatar pic.twitter.com/V0R4bUkoPP
— The Peninsula Qatar (@PeninsulaQatar) December 15, 2025
“All opponents are different. PSG is the best team in the world; they won the Champions League and they are here because they are the best,” Luis said after the win over Pyramids FC on Saturday night.
“We, with all the humility in the world, will try to win and make history,” he added.
Giorgian de Arrascaeta played a pivotal role in Flamengo’s run to the final, scoring both goals against Cruz Azul and providing the assists for both goals against Pyramids FC with precise free-kick deliveries. Despite that, Luis was keen to highlight the collective effort behind his side’s impressive performances in Qatar.
“Set pieces are important, we have powerful players in that phase of the game, but I’ll take credit for the team’s overall performance; they knew how to defend,” he said.
“The start of the game was good, we know the opponent is tough. The team knew how to withstand pressure and we grew into the game. It was a deserved result,” he added.
PSG SQUAD: Lucas Beraldo, Marquinhos, Illia Zabarnyi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Fabian Ruiz, Goncalo Ramos, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Vitinha, Lee Kang-In, Lucas Hernandez, Senny Mayulu, Nuno Mendes, Bradley Barcola, Lucas Chevalier, Warren Zaire-Emery, Matvey Safonov, Quentin Ndjantou, Ibrahim Mbaye, Willian Pacho, Joao Neves, Renato Marin
