Africa’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages at the revamped 2025 FIFA Club World Cup came to an end on Wednesday. Mamelodi Sundowns, the continent’s final representatives, were eliminated following a goalless draw against Brazil’s Fluminense at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The result confirmed group-stage exits for all four African teams—Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca, and Espérance de Tunis—marking a disappointing end to the continent’s campaign.
BolaNews ranks the performances of the four African clubs at the tournament:
4. Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)
Drawn in a daunting group with European heavyweights Manchester City and Juventus, Wydad Casablanca were always going to face an uphill battle.
The Moroccan champions lost all three of their matches, with Juventus and City collecting maximum points to secure progression. Wydad’s final group game against Al-Ain of the UAE ended in a disappointing 2-1 defeat. They are the only African team to exit the competition without a win, having conceded 9 goals and scored just two goals.
3. Al Ahly (Egypt)
There is no doubt that Al Ahly’s performance shocked the continent. The Egyptian giants, who boast a record 12 CAF Champions League titles and a long history of dominance both domestically and in Africa, were far from their best at this global stage.
They opened their campaign with a goalless draw against Inter Miami, missing a crucial penalty that would haunt them. This was followed by a 2-0 loss to Palmeiras and a dramatic 4-4 draw against Portuguese side FC Porto in their final group match.
Despite their rich pedigree, Al Ahly failed to win a single game, finishing winless and looking a shadow of their former selves. Their inability to meet expectations earns them the second-lowest ranking among the African clubs.
2. Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia)
Espérance opened their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Flamengo but bounced back with a gritty 1-0 win over Los Angeles FC. However, their hopes of advancing were dashed in the final group match following a 3-0 loss to Chelsea.
The reigning Tunisian champions showed moments of resilience and earned a respectable win, but fell short when it mattered most.
1. Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
The standout African side at the tournament, Mamelodi Sundowns, impressed with their attacking flair and tactical discipline. Their highlight came in a pulsating 4-3 defeat to Borussia Dortmund—an encounter that, despite the result, showcased the team’s quality and ambition.
Sundowns started strong with a 1-0 win over Ulsan HD and entered their final match against Fluminense needing a victory to progress. However, a lack of finishing touch saw the game end 0-0, with Fluminense edging them for the second qualifying spot.
They finished with four points—more than any other African side—and can leave the tournament with pride, having represented the continent with courage and style. However, the draw against Fluminense was not enough, as the Brazilian side finished in second place behind Borussia Dortmund. Sundowns finished with four points to join fellow African envoys Wydad, Al Ahly, and Esperance in exiting the tournament at the group stage.
READ MORE: Why North African Clubs Struggled at FIFA Club World Cup
