World football governing body Fifa this week confirmed the 12 stadiums to host the 2025 Club World Cup in the US, where Mamelodi Sundowns and Wydad Athletic Club coach Rulani Mokwena will be representing South Africa.
The clock for the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup is winding down, with the draw for the group stages set to take place in December. Some of the 32 elite teams around the world that will be participating in the new format of the Club World Cup are Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Palmeiras and Boca Juniors.
Sundowns are one of four teams that will represent Africa at the tournament which kicks off on June 15 and ends on July 13, 2025.
They will be joined by Egyptian giants Al Ahly, Esperance de Tunis and Mokwena’s
Wydad.
Other South African players that will be out in the US competing against some of the greatest players in the world will be Percy Tau at Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Elias Mokwana at Tunisia’s Esperance.
However, with Tau’s future in the balance at Al Ahly, it is yet to be seen if he will be
returning to the biggest club football stage.
Sunday World looks at some of the 12 venues and cities that will be hosting the 32 teams.
MetLife Stadium (New Jersey) The stadium has a capacity of 82 500 and is scheduled to host the Club World Cup final on July 13. It will also be the venue for the 2026 Fifa World Cup final. New Jersey is famous for the Statue of Liberty and its historic Immigration Museum.
Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte) The name of the stadium gives it all away, as Charlotte is said to be one of America’s largest banking centres and one of the nation’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas. The Bank of America Stadium has a 74 860 capacity.
Mercedes-Benz Arena (Atlanta) The Mercedes-Benz Arena is spectacular, boasting a retractable roof and a 360-degree halo video display. The arena usually hosts concerts by global superstars and has a 71 000 capacity.
TQL Stadium (Cincinnati) A stadium that some South Africans are familiar with after Banyana Banyana played there against the US and lost 3-0 last year, has also been selected as the stadium to host some Club World Cup football. The stadium has a capacity of only about 26 000.
Rose Bowl (Los Angeles)
One of the most iconic stadiums in the US, the Rose Bowl, can house about 89 702 spectators. Rose Bowl has previously hosted the 1994 men’s Fifa World Cup final that was won by Brazil for the then record-extending fourth time and the Fifa Women’s World Cup final in 1999.
Los Angeles is the epitome of entertainment, where the iconic Hollywood sign is found.
Other stadiums and cities that will see an influx of tourists from around the world visiting are Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia), Hard Rock Stadium (Miami), Camping World Stadium, and Inter&Co Stadium both in Orlando.
Lumen Field (Seattle), Geodis Park (Nashville), and Audi Field in Washington DC complete the equation of the 12 stadiums that will be hosting a total of 63 matches that will be played across the US.
