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With the countdown to the historic 2025 FIFA Club World Cup ticking down, African football legend Didier Drogba has issued a passionate call to arms, spotlighting the tournament’s potential to elevate clubs and players from the continent onto the global stage.
Speaking ahead of the expanded 32-team spectacle set to kick off on June 14 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, Drogba emphasized the rare opportunity the tournament presents for African talent.
“It gives more chances to players who cannot perform and win the World Cup with their national team to be able to become world champions with their clubs,” said the former Chelsea star and FIFA Legend.
Drogba after lifting the UEFA Champions League to get a FIFA CWC ticket.
Drogba, who remains one of the continent’s most iconic football exports, underscored the significance of this moment.
“It’s a great opportunity, for players coming from a continent like Africa, for example, where you don’t really see those teams on the biggest stage,” he concluded.
Drogba in Ivory Coast colours.
Africa will be represented by four club giants: South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, Egypt’s Al Ahly, Morocco’s Wydad Athletic Club, and Tunisia’s Espérance Sportive de Tunis.
Mamelodi Sundowns
Wydad Athletic Club.
Al Ahly SC
These teams are poised to test their mettle against elite opposition from Europe, South America, Asia, and beyond ranging from reigning champions Manchester City and record-winners Real Madrid to powerhouses like Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Boca Juniors.
To ensure fair play and global parity, FIFA has greenlit a special rule allowing clubs to register new recruits before the final squad submission deadline on June 10.
This unprecedented move accounts for the varied transfer windows across the 20 participating member associations. A secondary registration window, from June 27 to July 3, will also enable strategic reinforcements during the tournament, under specific conditions.
Sundowns, drawn into Group F alongside Brazil’s Fluminense, Germany’s Borussia Dortmund, and South Korea’s Ulsan HD, face a daunting but thrilling challenge.
Al Ahly will contend with SE Palmeiras, FC Porto, and Inter Miami in Group A while Wydad AC and ES Tunis square off against titans in Groups G and D, respectively.
With 63 matches scheduled across 11 U.S. cities Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York New Jersey, Orlando, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington D.C culminating in what promises to be a spectacular final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, 13 July, when the FIFA club world champions will be crowned.
2025 FIFA Club World Cup Groups
Group A
- SE Palmeiras (BRA)
- FC Porto (POR)
- Al Ahly FC (EGY)
- Inter Miami CF (USA)
Group B
- Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
- Atlético de Madrid (ESP)
- Botafogo (BRA)
- Seattle Sounders FC (USA)
Group C
- FC Bayern München (GER)
- Auckland City FC (NZL)
- CA Boca Juniors (ARG)
- SL Benfica (POR)
Group D
- CR Flamengo (BRA)
- Espérance Sportive de Tunis (TUN)
- Chelsea FC (ENG)
- Club León (MEX)
Group E
- CA River Plate (ARG)
- Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)
- CF Monterrey (MEX)
- FC Internazionale Milano (ITA)
Group F
- Fluminense FC (BRA)
- Borussia Dortmund (GER)
- Ulsan HD (KOR)
- Mamelodi Sundowns FC (RSA)
Group G
- Manchester City (ENG)
- Wydad AC (MAR)
- Al Ain FC (UAE)
- Juventus FC (ITA)
Group H
- Real Madrid C. F. (ESP)
- Al Hilal (KSA)
- CF Pachuca (MEX)
- FC Salzburg (AUT)
