FIFA has unveiled the trophy for the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, which will take place in the United States in June 2025.

South African football fans are particularly excited as Mamelodi Sundowns will be participating in the 32-team tournament. The club, which won the tournament in 2016, is currently third in the CAF coefficient ranking due to their consistent performances in the CAF Champions League.

Sundowns will join Al Ahly and Wydad Casablanca as the African representatives in the tournament. They will face off against top European clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, and Inter Miami.

While the expanded format promises exciting football, it has also drawn criticism for overloading the already congested football calendar. Top players like Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Rodri, and Jude Bellingham, who recently participated in the European Championship and Copa America, will have limited rest before the tournament.

If these players’ countries qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, they will face an even more demanding schedule, with little to no rest between major tournaments.