Al Ahly is set to face Mexican side Pachuca in a friendly match as part of its preparations for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
The Cairo-based club, who have already secured qualification for next year’s expanded tournament in the United States, is wasting no time in laying the groundwork for what could be a historic campaign.
Despite still being engaged in domestic and continental commitments, the reigning African champions are already planning ahead with a clear vision.
According to information shared by the club’s official channel, Al Ahly intends to play a warm-up match against Pachuca on either 8 or 9 June.
The fixture is designed to simulate the competitive rhythm of the Club World Cup and acclimate the team to the high level of play expected at the tournament.
The move has reportedly been well-received by the club’s leadership, who are determined to see Al Ahly make a strong impression on the global stage.
With the 2025 edition of the Club World Cup scheduled to run from 15 June to 13 July across venues in the United States, the friendly is seen as a crucial component of their broader strategic preparation.
Head coach Marcel Koller is expected to use the match to assess his squad’s readiness and experiment with tactical variations, all with the aim of peaking at the right time.
For Al Ahly, participation in the tournament is more than symbolic—it is an opportunity to prove their mettle against the world’s top clubs and elevate African football’s standing.
The Egyptian side, boasting a decorated history and back-to-back CAF Champions League titles, is aiming to translate regional dominance into international success.
Their leadership has made no secret of its ambitions, with the Club World Cup viewed as a stage on which Al Ahly can not only compete but potentially contend.
This upcoming fixture with Pachuca—who have consistently been among the top clubs in Mexico—offers a valuable test.
The match will give both teams a chance to fine-tune their strategies ahead of the tournament, while also providing supporters with an early glimpse of the intensity and quality the summer competition is expected to deliver.
With just weeks remaining before kickoff in the United States, Al Ahly’s preparations are gathering pace, and the planned clash with Pachuca is shaping up to be a significant step on their road to the Club World Cup.