South Africa’s football giant, Mamelodi Sundowns, are setting up for what is bound to be their biggest test in the current era—the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, staged in the United States of America from June 15 to July 13, 2025. With 32 teams featuring the largest continental heavyweights from Europe, South America, Asia, and the rest of the world, this is the first upgraded edition of the tournament, and the pressure could not be higher.
The Mamelodi Sundowns, affectionately known as The Brazilians, qualified through CAF’s four-year club ranking. They are following 2016 in their second Club World Cup appearance, but the tournament in 2025 is an altogether different beast: bigger, noisier, and with international attention like never before.
This time, they’re not just playing the best of Africa—they’re playing in a group with football royalty.
Group F: A Clash of Giants
Sundowns have been assigned to Group F, probably the most thrilling group in the tournament. They will be facing:
June 17 -Borussia Dortmund (Germany – UEFA)
June 21 -Fluminense (Brazil – CONMEBOL)
June 25 -Ulsan HD (South Korea – AFC)
Each squad has different style and tradition. 2024 UEFA Champions League finalists Dortmund boast immense firepower and depth. Pan american flair and professionalism define 2023 Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense. Korean footballers Ulsan HD, with notable discipline and strategic savvy, top the AFC rankings.
Adding flair off the pitch, Mamelodi Sundowns will also unveil their stunning Puma x KidSuper world kit during the eve of the tournament. The shirt blends African hue with global streetwear style—establishing the new face of African football on the global arena.
The Sundowns captain and Bafana Bafana veteran Ronwen Williams will be instrumental between the posts. His organisation and penalty-saving can be the difference, particularly against Dortmund and Fluminense.
The newly appointed Portuguese coach has also instilled some much-needed discipline, work rate, and tactical acumen into the team. His European experience can be a trump card when taking on tactical titans such as Dortmund.
