The FIFA Club World Cup kicked off with a dazzling display from the powerhouse clubs. Bayern Munich, from Germany’s top league, absolutely demolished Auckland City of New Zealand, winning 10–0 in their Group C match at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: What happened on the opening weekend
Bayern set the tone early: they were already six goals ahead by half-time, a stunning achievement.
Here’s how the first half unfolded in simple terms: a corner kick from Joshua Kimmich found Jonathan Tah, whose header turned into a goal by Kingsley Coman—the first ever goal scored in this Club World Cup format.
In quick succession, Sacha Boey, Michael Olise, and Coman (again!) each struck, giving Bayern a comfortable lead. Then Thomas Müller, wrapping up his legendary career, scored just before the break. Coman went on to net three goals himself (a “hat-trick”) in the second half, while Jamal Musiala came off the bench and added another three goals. Leipzig’s football fans were left in awe.
Meanwhile, Al Ahly of Egypt, Africa’s most successful club, drew 0–0 with Inter Miami (USA). Both teams had chances, and Al Ahly even missed a penalty. Their coach, José Riveiro, said afterward:
“We were in control in the first half… but missed chances hurt us.” Striker Wessam Abou Ali echoed this: “We could have scored three or four goals… Our fans gave us a boost.”
For South African supporters, the weekend showed the gap between massive clubs like Bayern and Al Ahly, and our own Mamelodi Sundowns, who now face tough opposition ahead.
Mamelodi Sundowns fixtures in FIFA Club World Cup 2025
South Africa’s own Mamelodi Sundowns are entering the tournament in Group F. Here’s a breakdown of their matches, all given in South African Standard Time (SAST):
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (SAST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 18 June 2025 | Ulsan Hyundai vs Mamelodi Sundowns | Inter & Co Stadium, Orlando | 00:00 |
| Sat 21 June 2025 | Mamelodi Sundowns vs Borussia Dortmund | TQL Stadium, Cincinnati | 18:00 |
| Wed 25 June 2025 | Mamelodi Sundowns vs Fluminense FC | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami | 21:00 |
This format includes 32 teams in eight groups, each with four teams. The top two from each group will move to the knockout stage. This is new—it’s how national team tournaments have worked since 1998, but it’s the first time we’re seeing it used in the Club World Cup.
These games are huge for Sundowns, offering them a chance to go up against Europe’s best (like Dortmund) and South America’s giants (Fluminense), testing how South African club football measures up on a global stage.
How to watch FIFA Club World Cup 2025 live in South Africa
If you want to support Sundowns—or just enjoy world-class football—here’s how to catch every goal:
- Broadcast TV: Check SuperSport’s channels on DStv—they have the rights for FIFA Club World Cup matches in South Africa.
- Streaming services: Look out for SuperSport streaming or official FIFA app and website coverage (sometimes available with subscriptions).
- Online updates: If you’re on the go and can’t watch, follow match details on SuperSport.com, the FIFA website, or Sundowns’ official social media pages.
This Club World Cup weekend delivered a mix of ultra-high-level scoring and tighter, competitive play. For Mamelodi Sundowns, the tournament is a real opportunity to show their mettle on an international stage.