Africa’s challenge at the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup came to a premature end on Wednesday night, as South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a goalless draw by Brazilian side Fluminense at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, USA.

The result sealed Sundowns’ elimination and confirmed that all four African representatives—Sundowns, Al Ahly of Egypt, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, and Esperance of Tunisia—have exited the tournament at the group stage.

Sundowns went into their final Group F clash needing an outright win to advance to the Round of 16, but the more experienced Fluminense needed just a point to secure qualification behind group leaders Borussia Dortmund. Despite a promising start and early opportunities for Lucas Ribeiro and Tashreeq Matthews, the South Africans could not convert their dominance into goals.

Fluminense grew stronger as the match progressed and came close to snatching a late winner when Argentine forward Germán Cano rattled the post in the second half. In the end, the 0-0 result was enough for the Brazilian side to progress, while Sundowns bowed out with four points, finishing third in the group.

Elsewhere, North African duo Al Ahly and Esperance had already crashed out earlier in the week after failing to progress from their respective groups. Wydad Casablanca are set to conclude their campaign against Al Ain on Thursday, but with both sides already eliminated, the fixture will be little more than a formality.

Africa’s early exit from the maiden 32-team edition of the FIFA Club World Cup raises fresh questions about the continent’s competitiveness at global club level, despite recent successes in continental tournaments.

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Mamelodi Sundowns’ bold run at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup came to a frustrating halt on Wednesday night after a 0-0 stalemate against Brazilian side Fluminense at the Hard Rock Stadium.

The result not only knocked out the South African champions but also marked the end of Africa’s representation at this year’s expanded tournament.

Sundowns needed an outright win to advance from Group F, but despite a promising start—forcing two early saves from Fluminense’s veteran goalkeeper Fábio—they failed to break the deadlock. It was the Brazilians who came closest to scoring, with Germán Cano’s fierce effort rattling the post in the 57th minute, leaving Ronwen Williams rooted to the spot.

Going into the final group games, Borussia Dortmund, Fluminense, and Sundowns were all still in contention. However, Dortmund’s narrow 1-0 victory over Ulsan Hyundai, who had already been eliminated, pushed the German side to the top of the group standings. Fluminense finished second, while Sundowns, with four points, fell short of qualification.

With their passage secured, Fluminense will now face the winner of Group E—a battle still being contested by River Plate, Inter Milan, and Monterrey—in the Round of 16. Their next opponent will be confirmed once Group E concludes.

For Thiago Silva and his teammates, the journey continues in pursuit of a historic title. For African clubs, however, the curtain has fallen early. Al Ahly, Esperance, and Wydad Casablanca had already exited earlier in the group phase, making this one of the continent’s most disappointing outings at global club level.

As the tournament enters its knockout phase, Africa is left to reflect—and regroup for future editions.

Matches on 26 June

Match 45: Juventus FC vs. Manchester City 15:00 – Camping World Stadium, Orlando

Match 46: Wydad AC vs. Al Ain FC 15:00 – Audi Field, Washington

Match 47: Al Hilal vs. CF Pachuca 21:00 – GEODIS Park, Nashville

Match 48: FC Salzburg vs. Real Madrid C.F. 21:00 – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

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Football fans hoping to rub shoulders with FIFA executives and legendary players at a star-studded gala in New York City will need deep pockets.

Big Art, an international event management company, is hosting an exclusive event on Wall Street to mark the FIFA Club World Cup finals. Among the high-profile attendees expected are FIFA President Gianni Infantino and former World Cup stars Kaka, Ronaldo, and Roberto Carlos.

Billed as “the official celebration of the FIFA Club World Cup finals,” the glamorous evening will feature a live performance by global pop sensation Rita Ora.

Tickets for the gala don’t come cheap—entry starts at $1,000 per person for the Silver tier, with Platinum priced at $2,000 and the elite Black category going for $3,000.

The event is slated for July 10, falling between the tournament’s second semifinal and the final match, which is set for July 13. While FIFA confirmed it will not receive proceeds from the event, it has not disclosed where the revenue will be directed, according to The Athletic.

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