The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has revealed the four African teams that will participate in the 2025 Club World Cup, set to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13. This edition marks the debut of the new 32-team format, a significant expansion from the previous seven-team event.
Wydad AC of Morocco and Al Ahly of Egypt have secured their spots as winners of the 2022 and 2023 CAF Champions League respectively. Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and Esperance Tunis of Tunisia have qualified via the ranking pathway, recognizing teams’ consistent performances over the past four seasons.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be the first to adopt the new format. The previous format featured seven clubs in a week-long event, with one club from the host nation and six teams qualifying as continental club champions from various confederation tournaments.
The FIFA Council has approved the key principles of the new 32-team Mundial de Clubes FIFA, including:
– 12 clubs from UEFA (Champions League winners between 2020-21 and 2023-24 and eight other teams determined by a club ranking based on the same four-year period)
– Six clubs from CONMEBOL (Copa Libertadores winners between 2021 and 2024 and two other teams determined by a club ranking based on the same four-year period)
– Four clubs from Concacaf (Champions League winners between 2021 and 2024)
– Four clubs from AFC (Champions League winners between 2021 and 2024)
– Four clubs from CAF (Champions League winners between 2021 and 2024)
– One club from OFC (the highest-ranked club from among the Champions League winners between 2021 and 2024)
The tournament will feature eight groups of four teams, with the top two teams in each group qualifying for the knockout stage. The host country, the United States, will also have a representative in the tournament.
This new format promises to bring together the best clubs worldwide, providing a thrilling and highly competitive event. The African quartet will be eager to make their mark on the global stage, and fans can expect an exciting tournament come June 15.
