In a disheartening flip for African soccer, not one of the continent’s 4 representatives – Al Ahly (Egypt), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), Esperance Tunis (Tunisia), and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) – progressed to the Spherical of 16 on the 2025 FIFA Membership World Cup held in the USA.
The expanded 32-team match, operating from June 14 to July 13, noticed African golf equipment wrestle towards world powerhouses.
Group stage struggles: African groups’ outcomes
The 2025 Membership World Cup group stage proved a formidable problem for Africa’s representatives. Right here’s how every group carried out:
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Al Ahly (Egypt – Group A)
Africa’s most adorned membership entered the match with excessive hopes however did not ship. Al Ahly opened with a goalless draw towards Inter Miami, adopted by a 2-0 defeat to Palmeiras and a dramatic 4-4 draw with FC Porto.
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Regardless of glimpses of attacking brilliance, particularly within the Porto recreation, defensive lapses proved pricey.
The Egyptian giants completed backside of their group with simply two factors, extending their Membership World Cup loss tally to fifteen—the best within the competitors’s historical past.
Whereas they earned $9.5 million for participation, their early exit was a blow to their fame.
Esperance Tunis (Tunisia – Group D)
Esperance managed a slender 1-0 win over Los Angeles FC, due to a standout efficiency from goalkeeper Bechir Ben Saïd, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient.
Heavy defeats to Flamengo (2-0) and Chelsea (3-0) left them third of their group with three factors.
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Whereas the win introduced in an additional $2 million on prime of their participation payment, Esperance’s incapability to match the depth and depth of elite sides highlighted tactical and structural limitations.
Wydad Casablanca (Morocco – Group G)
Drawn into a tricky group with Manchester Metropolis and Juventus, Wydad’s marketing campaign ended with no single level. They misplaced 2-0 to Metropolis and 4-1 to Juventus, regardless of exhibiting flashes of resilience.
Thembinkosi Lorch scored Wydad’s solely purpose of the match, turning into the primary Moroccan participant to web towards the Italian giants.
Nonetheless, the monetary reward of $9.5 million in participation charges couldn’t masks their aggressive shortcomings.
Regardless of Lucas Ribeiro’s standout performances, the group fell in need of development.
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa, Group F)
Africa’s final hope, Sundowns, winners of the 2016 CAF Champions League, completed third in Group F with 4 factors.
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They began brightly with a 1-0 win over Ulsan HD, incomes $2 million, however a 4-3 thriller loss to Borussia Dortmund and a 0-0 draw towards Fluminense ended their marketing campaign.
Regardless of Lucas Ribeiro’s standout performances, Sundowns’ failure to safe an important win towards Fluminense value them development.
Their $12.5 million complete prize cash was the best amongst African groups, nevertheless it couldn’t masks the frustration.
Throughout 12 group stage matches, African groups recorded 2 wins, 3 attracts, and seven losses, with Sundowns and Esperance securing the one victories.
The collective prize cash, exceeding $45 million for participation and wins, supplied monetary rewards, however the lack of aggressive success stung deeply.
African Groups at a Look: Membership World Cup 2025 Group Stage
Historic Context: African Golf equipment within the Membership World Cup
African golf equipment have a combined historical past within the FIFA Membership World Cup, with uncommon moments of glory overshadowed by constant struggles.
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Al Ahly, the continent’s most frequent participant, has competed in 9 editions, securing 4 bronze medals (2006, 2012, 2020, 2021) but in addition holding the file for many defeats (15).
Their finest end was third place, a feat unmatched by different African sides besides TP Mazembe, who reached the 2010 ultimate.
Wydad Casablanca, showing of their third Membership World Cup, has but to advance past the group stage, whereas Esperance’s fourth look yielded no knockout berths.
Mamelodi Sundowns, of their second outing, confirmed promise however couldn’t replicate their 2016 quarter-final run.
Traditionally, African groups have struggled towards European and South American giants, with solely Mazembe (2010) and Raja Casablanca (2013) reaching the ultimate.
The 2025 match’s expanded format raised hopes for a breakthrough, however the outcomes echoed previous challenges, with no African membership advancing previous the group stage for the reason that competitors’s inception in 2000.
