📰 No African Club Advances to Round of 16 in 2025 Club World Cup
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has delivered drama, goals, and surprises—but for African football fans, there’s disappointment. None of the four African clubs participating in this expanded global tournament managed to progress beyond the group stage.
🇿🇦 Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Sundowns gave fans a glimmer of hope with a hard-fought 1–0 win over Ulsan HD, becoming the first African side to win a match in the U.S. edition of the Club World Cup. However, a narrow 4–3 loss to Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense's dominance meant the Brazilians edged them out for second place in Group F.
🇪🇬 Al Ahly (Egypt)
The Egyptian giants played in arguably the most exciting match of the group stage, drawing 4–4 with Porto. Despite the fireworks, the result wasn't enough, as Inter Miami and Palmeiras claimed the top spots in Group A.
🇹🇳 Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia)
Drawn into the dreaded “Group of Death” with Chelsea, Flamengo, and LAFC, Espérance found the challenge too steep. They finished third and bowed out early.
🇲🇦 Wydad AC (Morocco)
Wydad faced a mountainous task in Group G, alongside Manchester City, Juventus, and Al Ain. Despite spirited performances, they were outclassed by European giants and couldn’t make it out of the group.
⚽ What This Means for African Football
This marks a moment of reflection. With four representatives and zero reaching the knockout rounds, African club football must reassess its global competitiveness. Talent and passion are abundant—but bridging the gap with European and South American powerhouses remains a challenge.
📊 Summary Table
| Club | Group | Notable Result | Round of 16? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mamelodi Sundowns | F | Beat Ulsan HD 1–0 | ❌ |
| Al Ahly | A | Drew 4–4 with Porto | ❌ |
| Espérance Tunis | D | Fought hard in tough group | ❌ |
| Wydad AC | G | Couldn’t overcome giants | ❌ |
🗣️ Your Turn
What do you think went wrong for African teams at the 2025 Club World Cup? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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