The newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup, currently underway in the United States, promises a financial windfall for the four African qualifiers, regardless of their results in this revamped 32-team competition.
Running from June 15 to July 13, this edition is a major upgrade from previous tournaments that featured just seven teams and often struggled for prestige or fan interest.
African clubs Al Ahly (Egypt), Esperance (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), and Wydad Casablanca (Morocco) have all locked in their spots — and with that, a guaranteed appearance fee of $9.55 million (around R171 million). That alone is equivalent to Mamelodi Sundowns winning nine domestic league titles in South Africa, which boasts the richest football prize money on the continent.
But the rewards don’t stop there.
Each group stage win nets $2 million (R35.8 million), and a draw still earns $1 million (R17.9 million), so there’s plenty of motivation to perform well in every match, even if qualification hopes are slim.
Mamelodi Sundowns find themselves in Group F alongside German giants Borussia Dortmund, Brazil’s Fluminense, and South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai. Advancing to the knockout rounds by finishing in the top two will earn an additional $7.5 million (R134 million).
Depending on their group finish, Sundowns will face either the winner or runner-up of Group E, which includes Argentina’s River Plate, Italy’s Inter Milan, Mexico’s Monterrey, and Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds.
Progressing to the quarter-finals is worth $13.125 million (R235 million), reaching the semi-finals adds $21 million (R376 million), while the tournament runner-up takes home $30 million (R537 million), and the champions receive a massive $40 million (R716.5 million).
If Sundowns were to go all the way, the total prize money could reach approximately $97 million (R1.74 billion) — a staggering sum that would significantly widen the financial gap between Sundowns and other teams in the South African Premier League.
This cash influx is sure to make rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates envious, and fans will be eagerly watching if Sundowns can translate this investment into success on the pitch.
The next FIFA Club World Cup is scheduled for 2029.
Sundowns Squad and Fixtures
Coach Miguel Cardoso has named a 26-man squad featuring 20 South Africans and a mix of international players including Brazilians, a Chilean, a Ugandan, a Zimbabwean, and a Namibian.
Ronwen Williams, the goalkeeper who heroically saved four penalties at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final shootout against Cape Verde, will captain the team.
Sundowns’ group matches (South African time) are:
- Wednesday, 18 June vs Ulsan Hyundai – 00:00
- Saturday, 21 June vs Borussia Dortmund – 18:00
- Wednesday, 25 June vs Fluminense – 21:00
