FIFA Club World Cup USA 2025: Tough draws for Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca, two other African teams 

By Harry Awurumibe, Editor-in-Chief, Abuja

The four African clubs that will participate in next year’s FIFA Club World Cup slated for United States of America (USA), Al Ahly of Egypt, Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca, Esperance du Tunis of Tunisia and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns will face an uphill tasks in their quest to lift the FIFA Club World Cup top prize as they have been drawn in tough groups going into the tournament.

African champions Al Ahly Football Club of Egypt will have to show why they have dominated Africa’s club football competition for decades when they face Inter Miami FC of United States of America (USA) in what promises to be a thrilling opening match of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup USA at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on June 15.

The African versus North American teams showdown followed the results of the Official Draws for the 32-team competition held on Thursday in Miami, Florida in an elaborate ceremony which has the endorsement of the U.S. President-elect, Donald Trump with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in attendance.

Aside Al Ahly versus Inter Miami clash in Group A, Fans will also be treated to a blockbuster matchups in Groups A to H during the month-long global football fiesta including clashes between European giants Manchester City of England, the reigning champions, and Juventus of Turin, Italy in the group stage.

Some other must-watch fixtures include Germany’s Bayern Munich versus Boca Juniors as the European powerhouse takes on a South American giant in a clash of styles just as Real Madrid versus Al Hilal tie will see the reigning UEFA Champions League winners face the AFC Champions League victors.

Also, Brazilian club Flamengo will confront ‘The Pride of London’  Chelsea as two elite clubs from South America and Europe go head-to-head in Group D while River Plate and  Inter Milan game will see a historic Argentine club facing the Italian giants in what promises to be a tactical battle.

The 2025 Club World Cup will follow a FIFA World Cup-style format as the top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stages, starting with the Round of 16, followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final.

Unlike in the previous editions, there will be no third-place playoff, ensuring a focus on the ultimate prize in the  tournament which will be held across 12 top-tier stadiums in major U.S. cities, offering a diverse backdrop for the global spectacle:

The matches will be staged at the following stadia:

*Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)

*Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte)

*TQL Stadium (Cincinnati)

*Rose Bowl Stadium (Los Angeles)

*Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)

*GEODIS Park (Nashville)

*Camping World Stadium (Orlando)

*Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando)

*Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)

*Lumen Field (Seattle)

*Audi Field (Washington, D.C.)

*MetLife Stadium (New Jersey)-Host of the final.

Complete Groups at a Glance :

*Group A

Palmeiras (BRA), FC Porto (POR), *Al Ahly (EGY)*, Inter Miami (USA)

*Group B

Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), Atletico Madrid (ESP), Botafogo (BRA), Seattle Sounders (USA)

*Group C

Bayern Munich (GER), Auckland City (NZL), Boca Juniors (ARG), Benfica (POR)

*Group D

Flamengo (BRA), *Esperance de Tunis (TUN)*, Chelsea (ENG), Club Leon (MEX)

 *Group E

River Plate (ARG), Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN), Monterrey (MEX), Inter Milan (ITA)

*Group F

Fluminense (BRA), Borussia Dortmund (GER), Ulsan Hyundai (KOR), *Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)*

*Group G

Manchester City (ENG), *Wydad AC (MAR)*, Al Ain (UAE), Juventus (ITA)

*Group H

Real Madrid (ESP), Al Hilal (KSA), Pachuca (MEX), RB Salzburg (AUT).