What's happened
Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah signed an agreement to host the Trophee des Champions at Jaber Al-Ahmad Stadium on January 8. This marks the second year the match is played outside France, following Qatar's hosting last year. PSG leads with 13 titles, while Marseille has three.
What's behind the headline?
The decision to host the Trophee des Champions in Qatar reflects Qatar's ongoing efforts to position itself as a global sports hub. Moving the match outside France signals a strategic shift to increase international visibility and leverage Qatar's infrastructure. PSG's continued dominance underscores their financial strength and competitive edge, while the tournament's expansion to include champions from all confederations indicates a broader effort to elevate club competitions globally. This move also aligns with Qatar's broader sports diplomacy, aiming to attract more international events and audiences. The hosting of the final phase last year and the upcoming match demonstrates Qatar's growing influence in international football, potentially setting a precedent for future tournaments to be held outside traditional venues.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah's signing of the agreement for the January match, emphasizing Qatar's role in hosting the event. The article highlights PSG's record and Marseille's past wins, providing context on the tournament's history. Al Jazeera details the broader context of the tournament's expansion, including the playoff stages and the significance of Qatar hosting the final phase last year. It also explains the tournament's evolution from the Intercontinental Cup to the current format, emphasizing Qatar's strategic positioning in global football. The contrasting perspectives underscore Qatar's increasing prominence in hosting major football events and PSG's continued dominance.
How we got here
The Trophee des Champions, traditionally held in France, has been hosted outside France for two consecutive years, with Qatar hosting last year and again in 2026. The tournament features club champions from FIFA's six confederations, with Qatar also hosting the final phase last year. PSG has dominated recent editions, extending their record to 13 titles, while Marseille has three wins, most recently in 2011.
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Qatar, officially the State of Qatar, is a country located in Western Asia, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula.