Flamengo faces Pyramids, from Egito, in the FIFA Copa Intercontinental semi-final this Saturday, December 13, at 2pm (Brasília time). The game, valid for Copa Challenger, takes place at Estádio Ahmad Bin Ali, at Al Rayyan, at Catar, and defines Paris Saint-Germain’s opponent in the final. The Rio team arrives at the clash after a 2-1 victory over Cruz Azul, from México, on Wednesday, December 10th.
Coach Filipe Luís commands Rubro-Negro, which is seeking an unprecedented title in the annual tournament promoted by FIFA. Pyramids, champions of Liga of Campeões of África in the 2024-25 season, advanced with victories over Auckland City and Al-Ahli in the preliminary stages. The match will be broadcast live on TV Globo, Sportv, CazéTV, ge.tv and FIFA+.
We go again on Saturday 🔜pic.twitter.com/0QzXNhEsji
— FL4MEN9O (@Flamengo_en)December 10, 2025
The competition brings together representatives from five continental confederations, with PSG already qualified directly for European achievement. Flamengo, winner of Copa Libertadores, represents América of Sul and competes in the tournament for the second time in the new format.
Recent trajectory of Flamengo on Intercontinental
Rubro-Negro beat Cruz Azul 2-1 in Dérbi of Américas, with goals from Arrascaeta. The match took place in the same stadium as the next duel, under hot Catar weather conditions.
Filipe Luís highlighted the importance of physical recovery after Wednesday’s game. The squad trained this Friday, December 12th, focusing on tactical adjustments.
Meet Pyramids FC
Founded in 2008, Pyramids moved its headquarters to Cairo in 2018 and won Liga from Campeões from África in 2025. The Egyptian club finished the regular phase of the national championship in first place, but finished second in the final phase.
- Mayele leads the attack with eight goals this season in Egypt.
- Zizo, 28 years old, plays as a striker and is a key player in midfield.
- Goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, aged 42, brings experience from nine national titles with Al Ahly.
The team suffered a 6-1 defeat to National Bank in Copa of Liga Egípcia, but used a reserve squad in that match.
Flamengo preparation for the duel
Filipe Luís held a closed training session this Friday to define the lineup. Pedro, in recovery, participated in activities and could earn minutes in the game.
The coach emphasized the necessary humility against Pyramids, who won their two preliminary matches by elastic scores. The technical committee prioritized the integration of young players into the main team.
Arrascaeta, scorer of the two goals against Cruz Azul, trained normally and should be a starter. The red and black defense, with Agustín Rossi in goal, showed solidity in the last match.
Flamengo adjusted the strategy to deal with the local heat, which reaches 30 degrees Celsius in the afternoon. Sessões hydration and video analysis of the opponent were included in the routine.
Highlights of Pyramids in previous phases
The Egyptian team beat Auckland City 3-0 in September, at Cairo, with goals from Mayele and other attackers. They then beat Al-Ahli 3-1, guaranteeing their place in Copa Challenger.
These victories came in neutral stadiums, but Pyramids adapted well to international games. Coach Krunoslav Jurčić implemented an attacking style, averaging two goals per match in the qualifiers.
The club invested in recent signings, such as Brazilian defender Fábio, to reinforce the defensive sector. Apesar from the recent defeat in the domestic cup, the focus is now on the global tournament.
Stadium and logistics at Catar
The Estádio Ahmad Bin Ali, with capacity for 40 thousand fans, hosted matches from the Copa to the Mundo in 2022. The structure keeps the pitches in ideal conditions for annual events such as the Intercontinental.
Flamengo arrived at Catar last week and settled in a hotel close to Doha. The red and black delegation has the support of expatriate Brazilian fans in the region.
FIFA guarantees reinforced security for the games, with accreditation for around 500 international journalists. The location is 20 kilometers from the center of Doha, making access easy.
Short trips between training and matches minimize wear and tear, something planned by the confederation for teams from distant continents. The stadium has refrigeration systems for the comfort of athletes.
Broadcast and options for fans
The match will be shown on open TV on Globo, starting at 1:30 pm, with narration by Galvão Bueno. Sportv offers pay-per-view coverage, with pre-game analysis.
Digital platforms such as ge.tv and CazéTV broadcast for free on YouTube. FIFA+ makes the signal available in global streaming, with options in multiple languages.
Brasil fans can follow along via the official Flamengo apps, which include real-time highlights. Bares and squares in cities like Rio and Janeiro organize big screens for the public.
Players in focus in the confrontation
Arrascaeta seeks to maintain form after the decisive goals against Cruz Azul. The Uruguayan connects the midfield with the attack, creating chances for teammates like Pedro and Cebolinha.
In Pyramids, Mayele stands out with speed on the flanks and precise finishing. The Congolese striker scored in both preliminary victories and leads the team’s top scorer.
Filipe Luís can opt for rotations, preserving starters for the final on December 17th. The presence of Pedro on the bench adds depth to the red and black squad.
The confrontation promises balance, with Flamengo betting on ball possession and Pyramids on quick counterattacks. Ambas teams tested formations in recent training sessions.
The winner advances to the final against PSG, scheduled for Wednesday, December 17th, at 2pm, at the same stadium. Essa match ends the 2025 edition of Copa Intercontinental, with a prize pool of US$10 million for the champion.
