By Victor Kanayo
The new FIFA Club World Cup trophy has made its way to African soil as part of the tournament’s build-up ahead of kick-off on 14 June 2025, scheduled for the United States.
This was disclosed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) via its official website.
A total of 32 clubs will compete in the newly expanded club football competition, which will feature four strong African contenders: Al Ahly SC (Egypt), Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), and Wydad AC (Morocco), between 14 June and 13 July 2025.
Former African champions Mamelodi Sundowns played host to the trophy’s first stop in Africa on Thursday, 8 January, where it was welcomed by the club chairman, Tlhopie Motsepe, the club’s technical team, and the entire squad.
“There is a saying in isiZulu (a South African native language) that goes, ‘One hand washes the other.’ So, just as this trophy is going to inspire many South Africans and Africans through the prestige that it has and the incredible people who have had it in the past, we will also ensure that it moves with the spirit of Africa,” said the chairman.
This year’s edition marks Sundowns’ second FIFA Club World Cup appearance after their 2016 debut in Japan.
The South Africans find themselves in a tough Group F alongside German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund, Fluminense FC of Brazil, and Ulsan HD of Korea.
The FIFA Club World Cup trophy continues its tour of Africa, with the next stop being Cairo, Egypt, on Monday, before proceeding to Tunisia and Morocco, where it will be welcomed by ES Tunis and Wydad AC, respectively.
