Ahly makes history with participation in opening match of 2025 Club World Cup: FIFA chief

FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed Ahly as a "historic club" and expressed his enthusiasm for their participation in the opening match of the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place in the United States from 14 June to 13 July.

Ahmed Seif , Wednesday 11 Jun 2025,
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Infantino
Photo: AFP

 

In a video shared by Ahly on the social media platform X, Infantino underscored the Egyptian club's significance, noting its record as the most decorated team in African football history, with 12 CAF Champions League titles.

"It's definitely a great honour for a team like Ahly to play in the opening match of their very first FIFA Club World Cup," Infantino said.

On 14 June, Ahly will face Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, in the opening match of the 32-team expanded format FIFA Club World Cup at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Ahly and Inter Miami play in Group A, which includes Portuguese side Porto and Brazilian club Palmeiras.

“We all know that Ahly is a historic club that won most trophies in African football, with millions and millions of fans – what fans? All over the world!” Infantino added.

The Egyptian giants have participated in the Club World Cup on nine previous occasions and has won four bronze medals.

Infantino stressed that Ahly’s participation in the new format is a major milestone for the club and African football.

“At this new Club World Cup, they’re entering history… The fact that Ahly play in this competition and open it will also enter into history,” he said.

The FIFA chief greeted all his friends in Egypt and Ahly fans.

“The passion, the fans, the people who really live for the club – who wrote the history of the club and rewrite their future – it’s so special, so unique,” Infantino said.

“Even neutral fans end up cheering for Ahly when they see that.”

The FIFA chief closed the message with a call to supporters: “Yalla Shabab, come here, enjoy, have fun, support your team. Enjoy the World Cup. It is a world stage… the very first. It will be fantastic.”

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)

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Group A W D L P
Palmeiras
1 2 0 5
Inter Miami
1 2 0 5
Porto
0 2 1 2
Ahly
0 2 1 2
Group B W D L P
Paris SG
2 0 1 6
Botafogo
2 0 1 6
Atletico Madrid
2 0 1 6
Seattle Sounders
0 0 3 0
Group C W D L P
Benfica
2 1 0 7
Bayern Munich
2 0 1 6
Boca Juniors
0 2 1 2
Auckland City FC
0 1 2 1
Group D W D L P
Flamengo
2 1 0 7
Chelsea
2 0 1 6
Esperance
1 0 2 3
Los Angeles FC
0 1 2 1
Group E W D L P
Inter Milan
2 1 0 7
CF Monterrey
1 2 0 5
River Plate
1 1 1 4
Urawa Reds
0 0 3 0
Group F W D L P
Dortmund
2 1 0 7
Fluminense
1 2 0 5
Mamelodi Sundowns
1 1 1 4
Ulsan HD
0 0 3 0
Group G W D L P
Manchester City
3 0 0 9
Juventus
2 0 1 6
Al-Ain
1 0 2 3
Wydad
0 0 3 0
Group H W D L P
Real Madrid
2 1 0 7
Al-Hilal
1 2 0 5
RB Salzburg
1 1 1 4
Pachuca
0 0 3 0