The FIFA Club World Cup will be staged across the United States from 14 June to 13 July as the first expanded edition of the tournament is played with a reported $1-billion pot of prize-money.
“Obviously, we are excited as a team and we are excited that we are going to represent Africa as a whole.
The biggest clubs and the best players from each of FIFA’s six confederations will battle it out for supremacy, including Africa’s Al Ahly, Esperance, Mamelodi Sundowns and Wydad Casablanca.
GROUP A
Teams: Palmeiras (BRA), FC Porto (POR), Al Ahly (EGY), Inter Miami (USA)
Inter Miami are only playing in this tournament because they have Lionel Messi in their squad and FIFA want his star quality at the Club World Cup. They did not earn their place on the pitch. But Africa’s Egyptian giants Al Ahly may well look at this pool as an opportunity, with Inter beatable, and two good, but not great, sides in Brazilian outfit Palmeiras and FC Porto from Portugal. This is a real chance to advance to the round of 16.
GROUP B
Teams: Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), Atlético Madrid (ESP), Botafogo (BRA), Seattle Sounders FC (USA)
The two overwhelming favourites in this pool will be French giants and Uefa Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and the always competitive Atlético Madrid from Spain. Botafogo are a typical Brazilian side in that they have good players, but the cream of their talent has long since been sold to Europe. Major League Soccer side Seattle Sounders will do well to make an impression.
GROUP C
Teams: FC Bayern Munich (GER), Auckland City (NZL), Boca Juniors (ARG), Benfica (POR)
Everyone in this pool will beat New Zealand side Auckland City and Bayern Munich should have too much quality on the big stage, leaving perhaps a shootout between famed Argentine side Boca Juniors and Benfica for a top two spot. That looks a tough one to call, with the smart money perhaps on the South American side. Both clubs are steeped in history and it will be fascinating to see them go head-to-head.
GROUP D
Teams: CR Flamengo (BRA), Espérance (TUN), Chelsea (ENG), Los Angeles FC (USA)
Mexican side Club Leon were axed from this pool as they share ownership with compatriots CF Pachuca, who are in Group H, which violates FIFA rules at their competitions. One had to go and Leon were given the boot, replaced ultimately by MLS side Los Angeles FC. Chelsea will be obvious favourites along with Brazilian side Flamengo, while Esperance will be tough to beat, but lack firepower against top teams.
GROUP E
Teams: CA River Plate (ARG), Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN), CF Monterrey (MEX), Inter Milan (ITA)
A real mix of teams in this group with four continents represented but Inter Milan from Italy and River Plate of Argentina will be heavily fancied to advance in the top two. Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds are a tricky but beatable opponent and Monterrey from Mexico will do well to make an impression as arguably the weakest team in the pool.
GROUP F
Teams: Fluminense FC (BRA), Borussia Dortmund (GER), Ulsan HD (KOR), Mamelodi Sundowns FC (RSA)
Some will view Mamelodi Sundowns as the weakest team in the group, though they must believe South Korean side Ulsan HD are beatable. Borussia Dortmund have had a poor season in the Bundesliga, but are a quality squad, while Fluminense are a tough opponent.
Top two looks tough, but they have to believe they can pull it off. Sundowns will be good enough going forward you feel, but can they make the step up defending against better quality attackers than they are used to?
GROUP G
Teams: Manchester City (ENG), Wydad Casablanca (MAR), Al Ain FC (UAE), Juventus (ITA)
There is a South African flavour to this group as well with Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca containing Thembinkosi Lorch and Cassius Mailula in their playing squad. They will believe they can beat UAE side Al Ain but are up against two established European giants in Juventus and Manchester City.
The team was coached until recently by Rulani Mokwena, who is a confirmed disciple of Pep Guardiola, and has said several times he is his coaching hero, so will be disappointed to have missed the chance to pt his wits against the Spaniard.
GROUP H
Teams: Real Madrid (ESP), Al Hilal (KSA), CF Pachuca (MEX), FC Salzburg (AUT)
Real Madrid are the standout team in a pool that is otherwise tough to call with the three other participants. Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal have the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, João Cancelo, Aleksandar Mitrović and Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, while Pachuca and Salzburg will also fancy their chances of going through. But outside of Madrid, those are three evenly matched teams.