Two of Europe’s most prestigious clubs will go head-to-head in Qatar on Wednesday 30 December.
 
News of the friendly match between French champions Paris Saint-Germain and three-times European Cup winners Inter Milan was announced by the Qatar Football Association (QFA) at a press conference on Tuesday 10 November. The match will kick off at 7.30pm local time. Ticket details will be announced in due course.
 
The match will take place at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, home of Al Sadd Sports Club. It is the latest high-profile game involving famous European clubs to be held in Qatar. In 2014, Qatar hosted the Supercoppa Italiana between Juventus and Napoli, while Bayern Munich faced the Qatar Stars League All Stars during their winter break in January 2015. This will be PSG’s third friendly match in Doha in recent years. In 2012, they faced local side Lekhwiya, while a year later they played Real Madrid.
 
Mansour Al Ansari, QFA Chief Executive Officer, said: “It gives me great pleasure to announce that two of Europe’s most prestigious club sides will face each other at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Qatar in December.
 
“Both Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan are flying high in their respective domestic leagues, so it promises to be an exciting match and occasion. The squads of both teams contain some of the most gifted players in the world and we are sure that every football fan in Qatar will be eager to attend this prestigious game.”
 
Mr Al Ansari said the match was another example of Qatar hosting a high-profile event as the country gears up preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™.
 
He added: “The match will be the final test event ahead of the 2016 AFC U23 Championship, which will take place in Qatar in January. We are also, of course, continuing to build event hosting experience ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.”
 
Also present at Tuesday’s press conference were Frederic Longuépée, Paris Saint-Germain’s Deputy General Manager, and James White, Inter Milan’s Director of Commercial Strategy.
 
Mr Longuépée said: “We’re back in Qatar and when we’re here we feel like we’re at home – and it’s good to be back home.
 
“We are looking forward to facing Inter again after our last match against them in Morocco. We are also looking forward to using the world-class facilities at Aspire and Aspetar.
 
“We are one of the most regular visitors to the Middle East among top European clubs. Our fans in the region are well aware of our club and we look forward to meeting them again.
 
 
“The winter training camp is very important. It’s a chance to build up strength ahead of the most crucial part of the year.”
 
Mr Longuépée went on to discuss the impact Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) had made since buying PSG.
 
He added: “Since the club was bought by QSI we have built very strong ties with Qatar and Qatari sponsors, and we owe a lot to them in terms of bringing success to the club.”
 
PSG have won France’s Ligue 1 on five occasions. In 2014-15 PSG completed a domestic quadruple by winning Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Coupe de la Ligue and the Trophees de Champions. PSG also won the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1996. The club, which is managed by French World Cup winner Laurent Blanc, is owned by Qatar Sports Investments.
 
Inter are won of Italy’s most successful club sides. Inter have won the Serie A title 18 times, along with numerous domestic trophies. Inter have lifted the European Cup on three occasions, most recently in 2010. They also won the UEFA Cup three times, prior to the competition’s expansion. Inter’s manager is Italy legend Roberto Mancini, who as a player and manager has won 26 honours during his illustrious career to-date.