Mamelodi Sundowns Set for FIFA Club World Cup: Sundowns Fixtures and Kick-Off Times
As excitement builds ahead of the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, football fans across the globe are bracing for a month-long spectacle that brings together the world’s wealthiest, most talented, and most decorated club sides. From European giants to African champions, the stage is set in the United States – and Mamelodi Sundowns are right in the middle of it.
The Most Valuable Teams in FIFA Club World Cup
This revamped tournament sees elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Inter Milan entering the fray.
According to Transfermarkt, these teams lead the pack in terms of squad value, with Real Madrid topping the chart at over €1 billion (R20.2 billion), followed closely by City and PSG. These clubs are not only financially dominant, but also feature global icons like Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland.
African representation includes the ever-consistent Al Ahly, Esperance de Tunis, and Sundowns, with the Pretoria-based outfit boasting a squad value of €35.25 million (R712 million) – ranking them 27th overall. While the financial gap between them and their European counterparts is stark, Sundowns are determined to let their football do the talking.
A Tournament Like No Other
The 2025 edition of the Club World Cup has morphed into a World Cup-style festival. Gone is the one-week, eight-team format – in its place, a 32-club showdown spanning four weeks and 12 American cities. The top teams from each continent will compete in group stages before progressing to the knockouts, culminating in a grand final on 13 July in New York.
The scale of the tournament, both in commercial value and competitive prestige, is unlike anything seen before in club football. This is not just a battle of styles and tactics – it’s a contest between empires, backed by billions.
Mamelodi Sundowns Fixtures
Mamelodi Sundowns find themselves in Group F, alongside South Korea’s Ulsan HD, Brazil’s Fluminense, and their biggest challenge – German heavyweights Borussia Dortmund, who are valued at over €450 million.
Their schedule is as follows:
| Matchday | Opponent | Venue | Local Time (ET/SAST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 June | Ulsan HD | Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando | 18:00 / 00:00 |
| 21 June | Borussia Dortmund | TQL Stadium, Cincinnati | 12:00 / 18:00 |
| 25 June | Fluminense | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami | 15:00 / 21:00 |
Each fixture presents a unique tactical test, with Ulsan’s high tempo, Fluminense’s flair, and Dortmund’s pace and physicality offering no room for error.
What to Expect on the Pitch
Masandawana enter the tournament with quiet confidence. Coach Miguel Cardoso has steadily moulded a squad that blends flair, discipline, and tactical intelligence. Key players like Marcelo Allende, Teboho Mokoena, and Peter Shalulile will be critical in Sundowns’ quest to defy the odds.
Borussia Dortmund will be a particular focus – a side filled with rising European stars and a reputation for intense pressing and counter-attacks. Sundowns’ approach, grounded in quick passing and intelligent movement, could be the perfect antidote to Dortmund’s aggression.
The Broader Stage
The tournament is more than just football; it’s a financial juggernaut. FIFA has promised a substantial prize pool, and clubs have their eyes not just on glory, but also on lucrative returns. Rumours are swirling that Sundowns may reinvest their share into signing new players, further strengthening their continental dominance.
Players from Messi to Vinicius Jr., Haaland to Musiala, will light up stadiums across the U.S., but African fans will have a particular eye on how Sundowns carry the flag. The exposure, experience, and challenge of competing against the world’s best will be invaluable for the club – and for African football as a whole.
Masandawana on a Global Stage
For all the money and muscle in this tournament, the beauty of football lies in its unpredictability. If Sundowns can hold their own – or even snatch a win against a juggernaut like Dortmund – it could shift perceptions of African football on the global stage. The stakes are high, but so too is the opportunity. Masandawana are not just in it to participate – they’re here to compete.
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