The highly anticipated expanded FIFA Club World Cup is set to commence with an exciting clash between Inter Miami and Al Ahly, the renowned Egyptian champions, at the Hard Rock Stadium in the United States on Saturday, June 14th.
This new competition format, which will be introduced in the 2025 edition, will see 32 teams battling for the title across various venues in the host country. The tournament will feature 12 teams from Europe, six from South America, four from Asia, four from Africa, four from North and Central America and the Caribbean, one from Oceania, and one from the host nation.
The teams will compete in eight groups of four, with every team engaging in three matches in a round-robin format during the group stage. The top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout rounds, beginning with the round of 16 and culminating in the final showdown.
Besides Al Ahly, who hold the record as the 12-time continental champions, additional African clubs expected to participate include South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca, and Tunisia’s Esperance. Notably, no African team has yet claimed victory in the Club World Cup, with only two having reached the final in the event’s 20-year history.
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Al Ahly to Lead African Representation
The Egyptian powerhouses earned their berth in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup by clinching the 2023/24 CAF Champions League title and have been placed in Group A alongside Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, Palmeiras, and FC Porto.
Under the guidance of new Spanish manager Jose Riviero, who previously managed Orlando Pirates of South Africa, Al Ahly will face Inter Miami in the tournament’s opening match on Saturday, June 14th.
Al Ahly’s previous best finish in the tournament was in 2023 when they secured third place after defeating Urawa Red Diamonds. They will take on Palmeiras at MetLife Stadium on Thursday, June 19th, before concluding their group stage matches against Porto at the same venue on Tuesday, June 24th.
In preparation for their match against Messi, coach Riveiro indicated the team’s strategy to contain the formidable player, stating, “Messi is a phenomenal talent with remarkable skills, renowned globally. He has the ability to turn any match on its head. However, we’ve meticulously prepared to counter him. He’s not their only threat; they boast other experienced players as well,” as quoted by Foot Africa.
Expressing his hopes for the tournament, Riveiro added: “Our aim is to secure positive outcomes in the group stage and earn a spot in the round of 16. Al Ahly possesses a unique identity and strives for competitiveness in every tournament, which means we will face significant challenges at the Club World Cup.”
Al Ahly enters the competition having been crowned champions of the Egyptian Premier League for the 45th time, finishing just two points ahead of second-placed Pyramids.
Al Ahly’s Group A Fixtures:
Saturday, 14 June
Al Ahly FC vs Inter Miami CF – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 20:00
Thursday, 19 June
SE Palmeiras vs Al Ahly FC – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey, 12:00
Monday, 23 June
FC Porto vs Al Ahly FC – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey, 21:00
Mamelodi Sundowns
The South African Premier League club, aiming to represent their nation and continent with pride in the USA, has been drawn in Group F alongside CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense FC, German giants Borussia Dortmund, and Ulsan HD from Korea Republic, who secured their spots through the rankings.
Sundowns will be returning to a FIFA competition for the first time in nearly a decade at the 2025 Club World Cup. Their campaign kicks off at Inter & Co Stadium on Wednesday, June 18th, followed by a match against Borussia Dortmund at TQL Stadium on Saturday, June 21st, and concluding their group stage against Fluminense at Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday, June 25th. They earned their place at the FIFA Club World Cup through the CAF ranking pathway.
Sundowns’ Group F Fixtures:
Tuesday, 17 June
Ulsan HD vs Mamelodi Sundowns FC – Inter & Co Stadium, Orlando, 18:00
Saturday, 21 June
Mamelodi Sundowns FC vs Borussia Dortmund – TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, 12:00
Wednesday, 25 June
Mamelodi Sundowns FC vs Fluminense FC – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 15:00
Wydad Casablanca
The Moroccan club, which has qualified for the inaugural edition of the global tournament in 2025, will compete in Group G, facing UEFA Champions League winners Manchester City, Al Ain FC (champions of the 2023/24 AFC Champions League), and European heavyweights Juventus FC, who qualified via the rankings.
Wydad’s journey commences against Man City at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Wednesday, June 18th, followed by a match against Juventus at the same venue on Sunday, June 22nd, before finishing their group stage encounters against Al Ain FC at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, June 26th.
Wydad’s Group G Fixtures:
Wednesday, 18 June
Manchester City vs Wydad AC – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 12:00
Sunday, 22 June
Juventus FC vs Wydad AC – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 12:00
Thursday, 26 June
Wydad AC vs Al Ain FC – Audi Field, Washington, D.C., 15:00
Esperance of Tunis
Esperance has been placed in Group D, where they will encounter 2022 Copa Libertadores winners CR Flamengo, English Premier League side Chelsea (the UEFA Champions League winners of 2020/2021), and LAFC, who qualified after overcoming Club America in a Play-In match.
They will launch their campaign against Flamengo on Monday, June 16th, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, tackle LAFC in matchday two at GEODIS Park in Nashville on Friday, June 20th, and finish their preliminary rounds against Chelsea at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Tuesday, June 24th.
Esperance secured their place in the new-look FIFA Club World Cup through the CAF ranking pathway, backed by strong performances in Africa’s premier club competition over the past four seasons.
Coach Maher Kanzari has challenged the four-time African champions, returning to the tournament for the first time since 2019, to “rise to the occasion” in the USA, stating, “Representing Esperance, Tunisia, and the African continent carries immense responsibility,” as quoted by the BBC. “We understand the eyes of the fans are upon us, and we will strive to showcase a performance worthy of African football.”
Esperance’s Group D Fixtures:
Monday, 16 June
CR Flamengo vs Esperance – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 21:00
Friday, 20 June
LAFC vs Esperance – GEODIS Park, Nashville, 17:00
Tuesday, 24 June
Esperance vs Chelsea FC – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 21:00
Real Madrid holds the record for the most titles, having lifted the trophy five times. Corinthians’ inaugural win stands as the best result for a host nation’s national league champions. Spanish teams have emerged victorious in the tournament eight times, more than any other nation.
England boasts the highest number of winning clubs, with four teams having triumphed in the tournament. The reigning world champions are Manchester City, who defeated Fluminense 4-0 in the 2023 final.
The inaugural FIFA Club World Championship was held in Brazil in 2000, coinciding with the Intercontinental Cup, which pitted the winners of the UEFA Champions League against the Copa Libertadores champions. Both champions were retroactively recognised by FIFA as the club world champions in 2017.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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