The four African representatives at the newly expanded 32-team Club World Cup in the United States stand to earn substantial financial rewards regardless of their performance in the tournament.
By qualifying, Egypt’s Al Ahly, Tunisia’s Esperance, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, and Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca will each pocket $9.55 million (€8.4 million) simply for taking part.
This sum is equivalent to Mamelodi Sundowns winning nine South African league titles, a country known for having the highest football prize money on the continent.
Teams will earn $2 million for a win in the group stage, $1 million for a draw, and a further $7.5 million if they finish in the top two and progress to the knockout rounds.
By comparison, winners of Africa’s premier club competition, the CAF Champions League, receive $4 million for playing 14 or 16 matches, while no club will play more than seven games in the Club World Cup.
News Central takes a closer look at the African contenders, all of whom have previously appeared in the Club World Cup when it featured just seven clubs annually.
Al Ahly
Under new coach José Riveiro, Al Ahly will kick off their campaign against Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, on 14 June. Riveiro, who recently left Orlando Pirates after three seasons, is preparing a tactical plan to limit Messi’s influence. The Cairo Red Devils have strengthened their squad by signing striker Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan from Trabzonspor and winger Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Sayed from rivals Zamalek.
Esperance
Tunisian side Esperance will be managed by former player Maher Kanzari, who took over after Romanian coach Laurențiu Reghecampf’s brief tenure. Despite clinching a domestic double, Esperance exited the CAF Champions League at the quarter-final stage. Their key player is Algerian striker Youcef Belaili, the competition’s second-highest scorer. Historically, Esperance have struggled at the Club World Cup, finishing fifth twice and sixth once.
Mamelodi Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns enter the tournament after a disappointing Champions League final defeat to Pyramids. Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso, who also lost the previous year’s final with Esperance, has faced criticism, particularly for not utilising veteran midfielder Themba Zwane. Goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams, celebrated for his penalty heroics at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, leads the South African side.
Wydad Casablanca
Wydad recently replaced South African coach Rulani Mokwena with Mohamed Benhachem, who revitalised the team with three consecutive wins following a poor run of draws. The Moroccan club has bolstered their squad with Burkina Faso midfielder Stephane Aziz Ki and Dutch defender Bart Meijers. Unlike the other African teams, Wydad will avoid facing a Brazilian club in the group stage but face a daunting group featuring Manchester City and Juventus, with progression considered unlikely.
