Mamelodi Sundowns’ participation in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is in jeopardy as the tournament faces a myriad of challenges that are casting doubt on its viability. The South African team was poised to earn a substantial cash prize of R1 billion for their qualification to the competition.
The expanded tournament, which includes 32 teams such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich, is encountering difficulties in securing television rights and sponsorships. Despite the deadline passing for television rights proposals, FIFA has struggled to finalize deals for key regions like America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Additionally, concerns have been raised about the congested schedule of the tournament, which overlaps with other major competitions like the UEFA European U21 Championship and the Concacaf Gold Cup. The lack of confirmed venues and funding has also contributed to the uncertainty surrounding the event, prompting Serie A clubs Inter Milan and Juventus to express reservations about their participation. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has convened a “crisis council” to address these challenges and explore potential solutions.
The players’ union FIFPRO has joined the opposition to the tournament, with unions from England and France launching campaigns against it. Their main worries revolve around the potential impact of the tournament on player welfare and the already congested football calendar. While the FIFA Club World Cup is still currently scheduled to proceed, the numerous obstacles it faces may lead to significant alterations or potential cancellation. The future of the tournament remains uncertain, leaving Mamelodi Sundowns’ anticipated R1 billion reward hanging in the balance.