Next Intercontinental Title Challenger To Be Determined In WWE SmackDown World Cup

To coincide with the upcoming FIFA World Cup, WWE will hold their own SmackDown World Cup on upcoming editions of the blue brand. The winner will receive a shot at the Intercontinental Championship.

The tournament will consist of eight competitors from a variety of countries around the globe and will begin on this week's episode of Friday Night SmackDown.

WWE have held a World Cup before at the 2018 Crown Jewel pay-per-view. That tournament was won by Shane McMahon and he proclaimed himself as the best in the world for the ensuing several months.

Gunther is the reigning Intercontinental Champion. He has been the champion since June of 2022 and has successfully defended the belt against Shinsuke Nakamura, Ricochet, Sheamus, and Rey Mysterio.

Also official for Friday's episode of SmackDown is an Undisputed WWE Tag Team Title match as The New Day look to stop The Usos from breaking their record as the longest-reigning tag team champions in WWE history.