The FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) 2025 kicks off this Saturday, June 14, and runs until July 13, 2025. The international club football tournament, usually featuring the top seven teams from each continent, will expand to 32 sides this year. Originally announced in 2019 and scheduled to debut in China in 2021, the new format’s ground zero will now be in the United States. This setting heightens its relevance as a build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the USA will co-host around this time next year.

The expanded format for this month-long tournament will feature top clubs from six international confederations: AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA. The 32 sides all reached the USA through diverse qualification routes and have been grouped into four groups of eight, with all eyes set on the new trophy unveiled by FIFA in November 2024.

It is a defining moment for African sides in the tournament. Bereft of global superstars and the glittering histories of the European giants set to grace the stage in America, the African contingents have everything to play for. Here, Bounce Sports takes a look at their qualification routes, group placements, and their chances of making it to the final, where Nigerian musician Tems, alongside J Balvin and Doja Cat, are set to deliver a first-of-its-kind halftime performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13. 

Meet the African Contingents at the Club World Cup and the Challenge Before Them

Al Ahly of Egypt

CAF Club of the 20th Century and four-time bronze medalists at the CWC, Al Ahly, are in for a stern test in the 2025 edition. They have been drawn in Group A alongside European giants FC Porto, Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez’s Inter Miami, and Brazilian powerhouse SE Palmeiras.

Ahly qualified by winning the CAF Champions League (CAFCL) in 2020/21, 2022/23, and 2023/24. This stage is nothing new to the Egyptians, who are making their tenth appearance. However, their group stage draw in the expanded edition could be their toughest yet, considering the tactical quality and personnel of their opponents. If they manage to progress beyond the group stage, their quarter-final path is no easier. They are likely to face either UEFA Champions League side Paris Saint-Germain or Spanish giants Atlético Madrid, both of which are expected to be the two qualified sides from Group B.

Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa

Fifteen-time Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, qualified for the 2025 CWC via the CAF ranking pathway. Simply put, the Masandawana’s consistent high finishes in the CAFCL during the four-year qualifying period from 2020 to 2024 secured their ticket to the USA. They reached the quarter-finals and semi-finals twice each during this period.

The path ahead for Sundowns in America leaves room for optimism, as they have been drawn in Group F where they will face Germany’s Borussia Dortmund, Brazil’s Fluminense, and Korea Republic’s sole representative Ulsan HD. Mamelodi enters the tournament fresh off winning the PSL, their eighth consecutive league title.

It is an exciting opportunity for the South African champions. Their biggest worry in the group should be Dortmund, who were runners-up and quarter-finalists in the last two UCL campaigns. Fluminense also pose a serious threat, having qualified for the tournament by winning the 2023 Copa Libertadores. The 2023 FIFA Club World Cup runners-up will pose a strong challenge for Mamelodi, but if the PSL champions can hold their own when they meet on matchday 2, qualification from the group is within reach, provided they’ve done the job against Ulsan in their opening match. As for the round of 16, finishing top of the group, however lofty, would be best for Mamelodi, as it would pair them with the runners-up from Group E, likely avoiding Inter Milan, the biggest threat in that group.

Espérance of Tunisia

Among all four African teams at the 2025 CWC, Espérance may have the most favourable group-stage opponents. The Tunisian giants qualified through the CAF ranking pathway thanks to consistent appearances in the CAFCL over the past seasons. They finished as runners-up in the 2023/24 edition.

Drawn in Group D, Espérance will face 2020/21 UCL champions Chelsea, 2022 Copa Libertadores winners CR Flamengo, and American side Los Angeles FC. Although Chelsea may not be at their strongest, they still have enough depth and firepower to top the group. Espérance, however, should be at least a cut above the South American sides. 

Wydad FC of Morocco

On the back of Morocco’s rising prominence in global football discussions, Wydad FC’s mission to extend the nation’s success on the world stage will not be easy. Looking at their opponents in Group E, the odds are stacked against the. The Red Castle qualified as winners of the 2021/22 CAF Champions League, and are set to face 2022/23 UCL winners Manchester City, European heavyweights Juventus, and Al Ain FC of the UAE, who secured their place by winning the 2023/24 AFC Champions League.

While Wydad certainly have what it takes to overcome Al Ain, the prospects of achieving similar results against Manchester City and Juventus are much slimmer. As such, a group-stage exit remains their likeliest possibility.