Disappointment as Al Ahly, Esperance, Sundowns & Wydad crash out in group stage
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States has ended in bitter disappointment for African football, as none of the four CAF representatives managed to progress beyond the group stage in the tournament’s new 32-team format.
A Harsh Reality for African Giants
African champions Al Ahly, along with Esperance de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Wydad Casablanca, all entered the competition with high hopes and reputations forged across the continent. But by the close of the group phase, the continent’s campaign had been extinguished.
Each club faced a formidable group, and while there were moments of promise and passion, they ultimately failed to match the consistency and quality of their more resourced opponents from Europe, South America, and North America.
Al Ahly Falter Despite Fireworks
Egyptian giants Al Ahly, 11-time CAF Champions League winners, were arguably the most competitive African side. They played out a stunning 4–4 draw against Porto but failed to win either of their other matches, finishing third in a group that saw Inter Miami and Palmeiras advance.
The Cairo club showed attacking flair but were ultimately undone by defensive lapses and late-game collapses.
Esperance Overwhelmed in ‘Group of Death’
Esperance were handed arguably the toughest assignment, drawn alongside Chelsea, Flamengo, and Club León. Despite solid preparation and tactical discipline, they were outclassed, failing to register a win in a group dominated by the Premier League and Brazilian heavyweights.
Their campaign ended quietly, with Chelsea securing a commanding win on the final matchday to seal Esperance’s fate.
Sundowns’ Win Not Enough
South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns did earn Africa’s only victory of the tournament with a 1-0 triumph over Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai—but defeats to Borussia Dortmund and draw against Fluminense sealed their exit. Though Sundowns impressed with their structured build-up play and energy, they lacked cutting edge in key moments.
Wydad Left Chasing Shadows
Wydad AC of Morocco never truly found their rhythm in a group with Manchester City, Juventus, and Al Ain. The 2022 African champions struggled to keep pace, finishing bottom without a win. Their inability to adapt tactically to European opposition was a key concern.
The Broader Picture
With 16 knockout places on offer, Africa’s failure to fill even one is cause for concern. The Club World Cup’s new format provided a grander stage—but also exposed the growing gulf in squad depth, investment, and infrastructure between African clubs and their global counterparts.
There’s also a growing debate within African football circles: Should CAF clubs continue to rely on continental dominance as a benchmark, or is a structural shift needed to bridge the competitive gap internationally?
Lessons and Next Steps
African teams arrived in the US full of optimism and with large diasporic fan support. But the on-field results reveal hard truths. The gap in elite match tempo, tactical flexibility, and game management is still evident when facing top-level sides from Europe and South America.
CAF’s long-standing ambition for global competitiveness may now require new strategies—better club funding, coaching exchange programs, and earlier exposure to international competition for players.
For now, though, the Club World Cup’s knockout rounds continue without African representation.
And for the millions back home, 2025 will be remembered as a missed opportunity—a moment when African football stood at the world’s top table but failed to take a seat.
