Al Ahly captain El-Shenawy confident of Club World Cup success

Published: Friday, 06 December 2024

Al Ahly captain Mohamed El-Shenawy has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to navigate a challenging Group A at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

Ahly will play tournament hosts Inter Miami following the draw held in Miami, USA on Thursday night.

The Cairo giants, record TotalEnergies CAF Champions League winners, will also face Brazilian powerhouse Palmeiras, Portuguese giants FC Porto in a group that promises intense competition.

“As players, we gathered to watch the draw together, and I think it’s a balanced and good group that includes strong teams such as Inter Miami, Porto, and Palmeiras,” said El-Shenawy.

“I believe we have the ability to reach the knockout stage of the tournament.”

El-Shenawy’s optimism reflects Al Ahly’s pedigree on the continental and global stages, as the club has consistently proven its mettle in tough competitions.

With their opening match against Inter Miami at the iconic Hard Rock Stadium, the Red Devils are preparing for a spectacle that could set the tone for their campaign.

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 marks a historic shift to a 32-team format, providing African clubs a larger stage to showcase their quality.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stages, culminating in the final at MetLife Stadium, New York, on 13 July.

For African sides, this tournament presents a golden opportunity to shine on the world stage.

Tough Groups for African Clubs

Four African sides are set to test their resolve against world football’s elite:

Al Ahly (Egypt): Group A – Palmeiras (Brazil), Porto (Portugal), Inter Miami (USA). Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia): Group D – Flamengo (Brazil), Chelsea (England), Club León (Mexico). Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa): Group F – Fluminense (Brazil), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Ulsan HD (South Korea). Wydad AC (Morocco): Group G – Manchester City (England), Juventus (Italy), Al Ain (UAE).