FIFA Club World Cup: Samuel Eto’o Optimistic About African Quartet’s Chances
Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o, now president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) and a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee, has expressed his optimism about the chances of African teams in the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup.
The tournament, scheduled to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025, will feature four African teams: Al Ahly (Egypt), Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), and Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco).
Eto’o believes that the African teams will do their best to make the continent proud, despite facing stiff competition from top clubs around the world.
“I know that the teams who will represent my continent will do the best to get as far as possible,” Eto’o said in an exclusive interview with DSports.
The African teams have been drawn into challenging groups:
Group A with Inter Miami (USA), Palmeiras (Brazil), and Porto (Portugal)
Group D with Flamengo (Brazil), Chelsea (England), and either Los Angeles FC (USA) or Club America (Mexico)
Group F with Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Fluminense (Brazil), and Ulsan (South Korea)
Group G with Al Ain (United Arab Emirates), Juventus (Italy), and Manchester City (England)
FIFA has announced a significant financial package for the competition, with each of the four African teams guaranteed at least $9.55 million from a total prize pool of $1 billion.
Eto’o, a four-time CAF Player of the Year, charged the players and officials to make the most of the special moments associated with the tournament.
“To those who have the opportunity to play, tell them to enjoy it because I don’t think this occasion will come again.” He also expressed his excitement for the competition, saying, “My time has passed, I just have to enjoy.”
The tournament opener will feature Al Ahly against Inter Miami on June 14, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. With Eto’o’s optimism and the financial package in place, the stage is set for an exciting competition.
