From early exits to big payouts: The financial upside of African teams at the FIFA Club World Cup

The ongoing FIFA Club World Cup has seen all four participating African teams bow out earlier than hoped, but the story is far from bleak. Despite tough competition and elimination after the group stages, African clubs walked away with substantial financial rewards, underscoring the growing prestige and commercial value of African football on the global stage.

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African representatives at the tournament included South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, Egypt’s Al Ahly, Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca and Tunisia’s Esperance. Collectively, these teams played 12 matches, securing two wins, two draws and facing seven defeats. While the on-field results were challenging, the experience gained from competing against some of the world’s best clubs was invaluable.

Mamelodi Sundowns emerged as the top-earning African team at the tournament, pocketing approximately $12.6 million. Their campaign featured a memorable win against South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai, a thrilling 4-3 loss to Borussia Dortmund, and a goalless draw with Brazil’s Fluminense. This solid performance translated into significant prize money from FIFA’s participation and performance bonuses.

Al Ahly and Esperance also earned impressive sums, each taking home around $11.6 million. Al Ahly, despite not winning a match, drew twice and scored an exciting 4-4 draw against Porto, showcasing their attacking prowess. Esperance secured a notable victory over LAFC but suffered defeats to Chelsea and Flamengo. Wydad Casablanca, although unable to secure a win in a tough group featuring Manchester City and Juventus, still earned $9.6 million.

The financial structure of the Club World Cup rewards all participating teams with a base participation fee, supplemented by bonuses for wins and draws. In total, FIFA distributed $525 million among the 32 competing clubs, with $475 million allocated based on sporting results. Each win earned a team $2 million, while a draw brought in $1 million. The tournament champion will take home a staggering $130 million prize.

These earnings far exceed the prize money awarded in many continental competitions. For context, the winners of the Africa Cup of Nations receive $7 million and the CAF Champions League champions earn $4 million. This highlights the financial incentives and global exposure African clubs gain by competing on the world stage, even if they do not advance far in the tournament.

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While African teams faced stiff competition from European and South American powerhouses, their participation in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup has been a positive step forward. The exposure, experience and financial rewards will help these clubs continue to grow and compete internationally. The tournament’s success and the valuable lessons learned promise a brighter future for African club football on the global scene.