Former Al Ahly midfielder and experienced coach Mohamed Abdel Azim “Azima” has described the Egyptian club’s upcoming FIFA Club World Cup opener against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami as a historic moment with far-reaching significance.
The much-anticipated fixture will headline the opening round of the expanded tournament, set to be staged in the United States from 14 June to 15 July.
Speaking to Kooora, Azima underlined the scale of the occasion for the African giants.
“Without a doubt, Al Ahly will play a historic match in the opening game of this edition of the Club World Cup, which will bring significant marketing and promotional benefits to the club,” he said.
The 55-year-old, who has managed clubs and national youth sides across the Middle East, emphasised the symbolic weight of sharing the pitch with one of football’s greatest icons.
“Messi is one of the greatest footballers in history, but Al Ahly is also one of the biggest clubs in the world and the giants of Africa, so the match will be completely unpredictable,” he noted.
The showdown between Inter Miami and Al Ahly is one of the standout fixtures of the group stage, pitting Major League Soccer’s most high-profile side against Africa’s most decorated club.
While much of the global spotlight will fall on Messi — an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion — Azima made clear that Al Ahly’s pedigree and continental stature mean they will not simply be supporting cast.
With the Club World Cup expanding to 32 teams, the competition offers an unprecedented stage for intercontinental clashes, and Azima believes this fixture could leave a lasting impression both on the field and commercially for Al Ahly.
