Koller Reacts On The Club World Cup Draw
Al Ahly coach Marcel Koller has reacted to the draw of the FIFA Club World Cup that is set to take place in 2025 in the United States of America.
The new-look Club World Cup will have 32 teams and will be played every four years starting from 2025. Africa will have four teams, Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns, Wydad Athletic Club, and Espérance Sportive de Tunis participating in this tournament.
All African teams have learned about their opponents in the Club World Cup as the draw for the tournament was held last week. The Swiss coach Koller says it will be not easy at all for all African teams but it will be very exciting seeing teams from Africa playing against European teams because that will improve the standard of African football.
“It will be not easy, but we have six months to prepare for it,” Koller said after their Champions League game against Orlando Pirates on Saturday.
“For our group maybe somebody outside will say it’s an easy group, but it’s not like that. We have a team from Portugal [FC Porto] and another team [Palmeiras] from Brazil.
“We will be also facing Inter Miami playing at home in front of a lot of supporters. It will be not easy at all, not only for us but for all African teams.
“But all in all, it’s very exciting to play against the best teams in the world. It will be interesting games seeing teams from Africa playing against teams from Europe and South/North America.”
This tournament will take place from 15 June until 13 July in the USA, and the host team will be Lionel Messi’s team Inter Miami. Al Ahly is in Group A alongside SE Palmeiras of Brazil, FC Porto from Portugal, and the host, Inter Miami.
ES Tunis on the other side, they are in Group D with CR Flamengo of Brazil, Chelsea from England, and Club León of Mexico. Mamelodi Sundowns in Group F have Borussia Dortmund from Germany, Fluminense of Brazil as well as Ulsan HD from South Korea. Rulani Mokwena’s Wydad in Group G will be playing against the Premier League champions Manchester City, Juventus from Italy, and Al Ain from the United Arab Emirates.
