South Africans back Sundowns in Club World Cup

South Africans have rallied together to defend Mamelodi Sundowns’ participation in the Club World Cup.

This is after a British news outlet, Metrosport UK, took a jab a the Betway Premiership Champions, suggesting that no one knows about the team.

The Brazillians, who will be representing South Africa at the tournament to be held in the United States, secured their place via the CAF ranking pathway – thanks to their consistent performances in the CAF Champions League, from 2020 to 2024, reaching two quarterfinals and two semifinals.

@metrosportuk

Is the Club World Cup irrelevant? 😬 It’s been reported that not even 25,000 tickets have been sold for the opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup between Inter Miami and Al Ahly that’s held in a 65,000-seater stadium. So is the interest from the fans just not there? #fifaclubworldcup #clubworldcup #cwc #fifacwc #clubworldcup2025 #clubworldcup25 #cwc25 #gianniinfantino #infantino #tickets #footballtickets #america #us #usa #mamelodisundowns #intermiami #realmadrid #mancity #chelsea #bayern #psg #atleticodemadrid #porto #benfica #intermilan #borussiadortmund #juventus #alhilal #football #footballtiktok #footballnews #metro #metrosport #metrosportuk

♬ Funky Beat – Aleksei Guz

 

 

Despite the dig from Metrosport UK, some podcasters are backing Sundowns to top the group ahead of the tournament’s commencement, labelling The Brazilians as the best team in Africa.

@wezzynuts

#mamelodisundowns #kby #fyp #012 #fypシ゚ #betwaypremiership #orlandopirates #kaizerchiefs #AfricanSports #Mamelodi #cwc #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp

♬ original sound – lone wolf🇿🇦🇷🇺

Masandawana have arrived in the United States and will be based in Florida for weeks.

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A post shared by Mamelodi Sundowns F.C (@sundownsfc)

 

The tournament will kick off over the weekend and is scheduled end on the 13th of next month.

Sundowns are in Group F alongside Borussia Dortmund, Fluminense FC, and Ulsan Hyundai FC.

They kick off their tournament on Tuesday against Ulsan HD before facing Borussia Dortmund on  June 21. They will cap off the group stage against Brazilian side Fluminense on June 25.

Getting to grips with the new environment!🏃 🇺🇸#Sundowns #FIFACWC #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/D92s1V8dWM

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) June 11, 2025

The Sundowns squad that’s in the USA:

GK: Ronwen Williams, Denis Onyango, Reyaad Pieterse

DF: Mothobi Mvala, Malibongwe Khoza, Mosa Lebusa, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana, Keanu Cupido, Khuliso Mudau, Thapelo Morena, Divine Lunga,

MF: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams, Marcelo Allende, Neo Maema, Bathusi Aubaas, Themba Zwane, Sphelele Mkhulise, Siyabonga Mabena

FW: Arthur Sales, Lucas Ribeiro, Iqraam Rayners, Kutlwano Letlhaku, Tashreeq Matthews, Lebo Mothiba, Peter Shalulile.

Meanwhile, FIFA president Gianni Infantino says the Club World Cup opener with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Egpytian side Al Ahly at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium will be full and packed with fans, this is despite tickets not selling well.

Tickets sales have not met FIFA’s expectations in the final week before the tournament begins.

FIFA originally listed the tickets between $250 (over R4 000) and $350 (about R9 000) for the opening match, before marking down prices to as low as $55 (about (R970).

The Club World Cup will host matches in Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, Nashville, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington D.C. The final is July 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.