Mamelodi Sundowns are set for a blockbuster showdown against European giants Borussia Dortmund this Saturday — and there’s more at stake than just bragging rights. The Tshwane giants are chasing another win and another massive payday at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
The match kicks off at 18:00 (SA time) at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Fresh off a 1-0 victory over South Korea’s Ulsan HD — thanks to a crucial goal from Iqraam Rayners — Sundowns are high on confidence. Meanwhile, Dortmund were held to a goalless draw by Brazilian side Fluminense in their opening fixture.
Millions on the Line
Each group stage win in this year’s tournament is worth a cool $2 million (around R36 million), while draws net both teams $1 million (R18 million) each. Sundowns have already pocketed R209 million just by showing up and winning their opener.
- $9.55 million (R173 million) – Appearance fee
- $2 million (R36 million) – Win vs Ulsan HD
That’s R209 million… and counting.
With two group games remaining, against Dortmund and Fluminense, the potential for even greater rewards is clear. A top-two finish in Group F would take them to the knockout stages — and with it, more prize money.
Here’s how the payouts stack up:
| Stage | Dollars | Rands |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance Fee | $9.55 million | R173 million ✅ |
| Win vs Ulsan HD | $2 million | R36 million ✅ |
| Win vs Dortmund | $2 million | R36 million |
| Win vs Fluminense | $2 million | R36 million |
| Round of 16 | $7.5 million | R136 million |
| Quarter-finals | $13.125 million | R237 million |
| Semi-finals | $21 million | R380 million |
| Runner-up | $30 million | R542 million |
| Winner | $40 million | R723 million |
Maximum Possible Earnings: $97.125 million (~R1.75 billion)
Sundowns could realistically leave the tournament with close to R2 billion — a financial gap that would only deepen their dominance over rivals like Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
What Lies Ahead
If Sundowns top Group F, they’ll face the runner-up from Group E, which includes River Plate (Argentina), Inter Milan (Italy), Monterrey (Mexico), and Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan). Finishing second would pit them against Group E’s winner.
Their remaining Group F fixtures:
- 🟡 vs Borussia Dortmund – Saturday, 21 June, 18:00 (SA)
- 🟡 vs Fluminense – Wednesday, 25 June, 21:00 (SA)
Star-Studded Squad
Coach Miguel Cardoso’s 26-man squad blends local and international experience. Ronwen Williams leads the team, fresh from his penalty-saving heroics at AFCON 2024. The squad includes:
- 🇿🇦 20 South Africans
- 🇧🇷 2 Brazilians
- 🇨🇱 1 Chilean
- 🇺🇬 1 Ugandan
- 🇿🇼 1 Zimbabwean
- 🇳🇦 1 Namibian
Notable names include Peter Shalulile, Marcelo Allende, Lucas Ribeiro Costa, and Themba Zwane.
Final Thoughts
Sundowns are not just playing to win — they’re competing for a fortune. If they can hold their own against Dortmund and Fluminense, they’ll not only advance further than ever before but could also make history as the richest club in South African football.
