Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Ahead of the highly anticipated draw for the Fifa Club World Cup 2025, Fifa Director of Member Associations for Africa, Gelson Fernandes (pictured), has highlighted the expanded tournament as a groundbreaking opportunity for all 32 participating teams, including Africa’s representatives. 

The draw, set for next week on Thursday, December 5, 2024, in Miami, USA, will determine the fate of the four African teams: Egypt’s Al Ahly, Tunisia’s Esperance Sportive de Tunis, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and Morocco’s Wydad Athletic Club.

These clubs will compete alongside top teams from UEFA, CONMEBOL, AFC, CONCACaf, OFC, and the host nation in the expanded competition, which Fernandes described as a “level playing field” for clubs across all six confederations.

“When you are a very big European club, this new competition could seem like routine. But football does not stop at Europe or a specific region,” mentioned Fernandes in an interview with Ouest-France.
“For the other participating teams, this Club World Cup, featuring 32 teams, is a real chance to face the greatest under the eyes of the whole world.”

Fernandes, who also serves as Fifa Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer, emphasised the unique platform the tournament offers for showcasing global talent, adding that participating clubs will have the opportunity to compete for the coveted title of World Champions.

“I am very sensitive to emotions, and they deserve to be experienced by all the clubs in the world,” stated Fernandes, a former Switzerland international who played in three consecutive Fifa World Cups.
The 2025 edition will feature 12 clubs from UEFA, six from CONMEBOL, four each from AFC and CONCACaf, one from OFC and a representative from the host country.

European giants such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain are among the confirmed participants, alongside South American powerhouses Boca Juniors and River Plate.

Reiterating Fifa President Gianni Infantino’s vision to make football truly global, Fernandes stated, “Making football truly global and accessible to all is the very aim of FIFA. I am sure that we are going to witness a great spectaclet.”

The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 15 to July 13, 2025, with matches hosted across 12 US cities, including Atlanta, Miami, New York and Los Angeles.