The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, held from June 14 to July 13 in the United States, was billed as a historic opportunity for African clubs to shine on a global stage.
With an expanded 32-team format, four African representatives; Al Ahly (Egypt), Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), and Wydad AC (Morocco) carried the continent’s hopes, yet, all four crashed out at the group stage, exposing deep-rooted issues in African club football.
This collective failure, while disappointing, is a clarion call for calculated effort to elevate the continent’s game.
The African teams’ performances at the Club World Cup were underwhelming.
Al Ahly, the 12-time CAF Champions League winners, managed two draws and a loss in Group A, including a thrilling but ultimately futile 4–4 draw against FC Porto.
Espérance, in Group D, and Mamelodi Sundowns, in Group F, each secured a single win but failed to advance, being hampered by inconsistent results.
Wydad AC, in Group E, was the weakest link, earning zero points after two losses and being eliminated before their final match.
None of the four teams reached the round of 16, a stark contrast to the progress of European and South American clubs like Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Flamengo.
Despite moments of resilience Sundowns’ dynamic play against Borussia Dortmund earned praise, and Al Ahly’s fightback against Porto showed spirit, the results exposed a significant gap in quality.
The African teams’ early exits stem from systemic challenges that go beyond individual performances.
First, instability in coaching staff undermined preparation.
Al Ahly, Sundowns, and Wydad all entered the tournament with newly appointed coaches, disrupting team cohesion.
This lack of continuity contrasts sharply with the stability of European clubs, where long-term managerial vision is the norm.
Second, African clubs face structural disadvantages.
The continent’s domestic leagues lack the financial muscle and infrastructure of their European or South American counterparts.
General secretary of Fifpro Africa, Kgosana Masaseng, highlighted the toll of packed schedules, with players juggling domestic, continental, and national team commitments without adequate rest.
Unlike European clubs, which benefit from robust facilities and professional ecosystems, African teams often deal with unpaid salaries, canceled matches, and inadequate stadia, eroding their competitiveness.
Third, the talent drain remains a critical issue.
Africa’s best players routinely migrate to Europe for better pay and facilities, leaving local clubs depleted.
Masaseng noted that retaining top talent is essential to building a competitive product, but African leagues struggle to offer comparable opportunities.
This exodus weakens clubs like Wydad, which, despite a 2022 CAF Champions League title, arrived at the Club World Cup in disarray after a poor domestic season.
Finally, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) face criticism for its qualification process and limited representation.
With only four slots compared to UEFA’s 12 and CONMEBOL’s six, African teams are outnumbered and face tougher paths to success.
The selection criteria, based on CAF Champions League performances from 2021 to 2024, favoured historical giants like Al Ahly but exposed others, like Wydad, as ill-prepared.
Calls for increased slots in future tournaments, voiced by African Club Association chairman Hersi Said, underscore the need for a fairer platform to showcase African potential.
The Club World Cup failure is not a death knell but a catalyst for reform.
African football needs a multi-pronged overhaul to close the gap with global elites.
Professionalising domestic leagues is non-negotiable.
National federations must enforce stricter club licensing requirements, ensuring timely player payments, modern facilities, and reliable match scheduling.
Masaseng’s point about unprofessional practices such as stadium lockouts or last-minute cancellations highlights the urgency of building a consistent, marketable product to attract media investment and sponsorship.
Talent retention strategies are critical.
African leagues must offer competitive salaries and career pathways to keep stars at home longer.
Initiatives like the African Football League, which Sundowns won, show promise but need greater investment to rival Europe’s financial pull.
CAF could incentivise clubs to develop academies, reducing reliance on foreign markets.
Coaching stability and education must improve.
The frequent turnover of managers disrupts long-term planning.
CAF and national federations should invest in coaching programs to nurture tacticians who can instill game management and adaptability, qualities African teams lacked against Porto or Dortmund.
Despite the disappointment, the exposure to elite competition with Al Ahly facing Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, Sundowns challenging Dortmund provided invaluable lessons.
The tournament highlighted African football’s potential, with Sundowns’ flair and Al Ahly’s resilience earning respect, but also its shortcomings.
The Club World Cup wipeout is a painful but necessary wake-up call.
The path forward requires bold action and if Africa seizes this moment, its clubs could one day not just compete. but contend for global glory.
ALL/VPO
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