Mamelodi Sundowns have already landed in the United States of America ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup that kicks off on Saturday June 14.
The perennial South African champions are one of four African clubs at the tournament, joining Egyptian giants Al Ahly, Esperance of Tunisia and Morocco’s Wydad Athletic Club from the continent.
Sundowns are making a return to the Club World Cup nine years after their first and only appearance.
How did Sundowns qualify for FIFA Club World Cup?
The Brazilians qualified for the expanded 32-team tournament thanks to their impressive CAF rankings that saw them make it through as one of Africa’s four-best ranked teams.
Sundowns sealed their place due to their superior performances in the CAF Champions league during the four-year qualifying period between 2020 and 2024 as they made it to two quarter-finals and as many semi-finals during this period.
They have made it even better this year when they reached the final only to lose to Egyptian club Pyramids 3-2 on aggregate.
Sundowns’ CAF Champions League pedigree
Sundowns have been a mainstay in the CAF Champions League as they have featured in the competition for the last 11 straight years, failing to reach the quarter-final only twice during that period.
Bafana ba Style have been in the final thrice, in 2001, 2016 and 2025, winning the title nine years ago, when they beat Egyptian giants Zamalek 3-1 on aggregate.
Have Sundowns ever been to the FIFA Club World Cup?
This will be Sundowns’ second appearance at the FIFA Club after making their debut in 2016 after they had been crowned African champions that year.
At the time, they finished sixth after losing both their matches, but they come back with a stronger squad this time.
The rise and dominance of Sundowns in South Africa
Founded in the 1960s, the club, then named Marabastad Sundowns, have experienced the worst and the very best of South African football as they were relegated in 1980, after 10 years in the top flight, and spent the next five years in the second tier.
Sundowns were back in the top flight in 1986, then under the ownership of Zola Mahobe, and in 2003, Dr Patrice Motsepe purchased a controlling stake in the club, before fully owning it the following year, and it is from here when they started becoming the giant they currently are.
By then, Sundowns had won six league titles but under the now CAF president, who has backed them heavily financially, they have won 12 league crowns, including the last eight in a row, an era of dominance thanks to their big spending that has made rivals unable to catch them.
Motsepe renamed the club Mamelodi Sundowns a year after he purchased it as a nod to the club’s home in Mamelodi in Pretoria.
What does Sundowns’ participation mean for Mzansi?
Mamelodi Sundowns will fly not just Africa buy South Africa’s flag at the Club World Cup, showcasing the best of the PSL on a global stage and it is great marketing for the country’s football.
Sundowns’ 2025 Club World Cup programme (SA Time)
Wednesday, June 18: Ulsam vs Mamelodi Sundowns (2am)
Saturday, June 21: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Borussia Dortmund (8pm)
Wednesday, June 25: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Fluminense (11pm)
