Al Ahly might meet European winners Real Madrid in the Club World Cup semi-finals, but they must first beat opponents from Oceania and North America. The Egyptian giants, ten-time African champions, have been placed in the sole first round tie against New Zealanders Auckland City.
If they win that match, they will face the Seattle Sounders of the United States in the second round, with the winner facing Real Madrid in the last four.
This year, the Club World Cup tournament is being held in Morocco, and with incumbent African champions Wydad Casablanca also serving as the host country’s representation, Al Ahly qualified as the tournament’s second African participant, having finished runners-up to Wydad in last year’s African Champions League final.
Wydad advances to the second round, where they will face Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia. Flamengo of Brazil, who, like Real, advanced to the semi-finals, might be Wydad’s last-four opponents on that side of the draw.
Chelsea won the Club World Cup last year, which the world governing body Fifa intends to expand to 32 teams by 2025.
The full Club World Cup Draw:
First Round
Al Ahly (Egypt) v Auckland City (New Zealand)
Second Round
Seattle Sounders (USA) v Al Ahly/Auckland City
Wydad Casablanca (Morocco) v Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Semi-finals
Flamengo (Brazil) v Wydad Casablanca/Al Hilal
Seattle Sounders/Al Ahly/Auckland City v Real Madrid (Spain)
Final
To Be Concluded (11 February)