African football’s leading clubs—Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Espérance de Tunis—are set to take centre stage at the FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off this Sunday in the United States.
Egyptian giants Al Ahly will headline the tournament’s opening match, as they prepare to take on Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, on Sunday 15 June at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
The Cairo-based club, one of the most decorated sides in African football history, find themselves in a challenging Group A that also includes Brazilian heavyweights Palmeiras and Portuguese side FC Porto.
Meanwhile, Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca have also been handed a daunting task in Group G. The Botola Pro champions are set to face Premier League title-holders Manchester City, Italian giants Juventus, and UAE’s Al Ain—making for one of the most competitive groups of the tournament.
South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, entering the tournament as the CAF African Football League winners, will compete in Group F.
Their campaign opens against Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea, followed by high-profile clashes with Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund and Brazil’s Fluminense.
Tunisia’s Espérance de Tunis, placed in Group D, will begin their tournament against Copa Libertadores regulars Flamengo. Their group also includes Mexico’s Club León and English powerhouse Chelsea.
Full Group Stage Schedule for African Clubs:
Group A – Al Ahly (Egypt)
- Sunday, 15 June – 00:00 GMT
Al Ahly vs Inter Miami (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami) - Thursday, 19 June – 16:00 GMT
Palmeiras vs Al Ahly (MetLife Stadium, New Jersey) - Tuesday, 24 June – 01:00 GMT
FC Porto vs Al Ahly (MetLife Stadium, New Jersey)
Group D – Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia)
- Tuesday, 17 June – 01:00 GMT
Flamengo vs Espérance Tunis (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia) - Friday, 20 June – 22:00 GMT
Club León vs Espérance Tunis (Geodis Park, Nashville) - Wednesday, 25 June – 01:00 GMT
Espérance Tunis vs Chelsea (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia)
Group F – Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Tuesday, 17 June – 22:00 GMT
Ulsan Hyundai vs Mamelodi Sundowns (Orlando City Stadium, Orlando) - Saturday, 21 June – 16:00 GMT
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Borussia Dortmund (TQL Stadium, Cincinnati) - Wednesday, 25 June – 19:00 GMT
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Fluminense (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami)
Group G – Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)
- Wednesday, 18 June – 16:00 GMT
Manchester City vs Wydad Casablanca (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia) - Sunday, 22 June – 16:00 GMT
Juventus vs Wydad Casablanca (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia) - Thursday, 26 June – 19:00 GMT
Wydad Casablanca vs Al Ain (Audi Field, Washington, D.C.)
