South African team Mamelodi Sundowns have the potential to be one of the more enjoyable stories of the FIFA Club World Cup when its new 32-team tournament format debuts in the summer of 2025.
Known for their “Shoe Shine and Piano” playing style that is very similar to the world-renowned “tiki-taka” used by Barcelona and Spain dynasties among others, the Sundowns are one of Africa’s most successful clubs.
They are the first South African team to compete in the Club World Cup, where they finished in 6th place in 2016. In 2021, they became the first club in Africa to win both the men’s and the women’s editions of the CAF Champions League and CAF Women’s Champions League. And last year, they were the winners of the maiden African Football League.
Should they be drawn in the group stage against one or more of the world’s biggest clubs, the game will attract a lot of attention.
So, which mouthwatering encounters are possible?
Which pot are Mamelodi Sundowns in?
They’re in Pot 4 of 4. This means they cannot face Urawa Red Diamonds, Al Ain, Hope of Tunis, Pachuca, Auckland City, Seattle Sounders or Inter Miami in their first three fixtures.
How do Club World Cup pots work?
Each group at the Club World Cup will comprise of one team from Pot 1, a team from Pot…
