Four African clubs, Al Ahly of Egypt, Espérance Sportive of Tunisia Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, and Wydad AC of Morocco have been drawn into tough groups alongside some of the biggest names in world football following Thursday’s draw for the FIFA Club World Cup
The draw for the inaugural 32-team FIFA 2025 Club World Cup held in Miami, USA, has set the stage for thrilling encounters, with African clubs facing challenging fixtures as they aim to make their mark on the global stage.
Al Ahly, the record CAF Champions League winners, are in Group A alongside Brazil’s SE Palmeiras, FC Porto of Portugal, and Inter Miami CF.
Their opening game against Inter Miami, the tournament hosts, promises to be a spectacle at the Hard Rock Stadium, kicking off the competition.
Espérance Sportive de Tunis, representing Tunisia, are placed in Group D, where they will take on South American powerhouse CR Flamengo, English giants Chelsea, and Mexico’s Club León.
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Espérance will face a monumental challenge to advance from what is seen as the “Group of Death.”
South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, a team known for their vibrant attacking football, will compete in Group F. They will face Brazil’s Fluminense, Germany’s Borussia Dortmund, and South Korea’s Ulsan HD. Sundowns will need their best form to progress.
Wydad AC of Morocco, the reigning CAF Champions League champions, are in Group G, to face European treble winners Manchester City, UAE’s Al Ain, and Italy’s Juventus.
The Moroccan giants will be aiming to replicate their continental dominance on the global stage.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout rounds, with the final scheduled for the MetLife Stadium in New York on 13 July.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
