Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso views the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup as an invaluable opportunity for his reigning South African champions to assess their standing on the international football stage.
The Brazilians, who have dominated the South African topflight for an unprecedented eight consecutive seasons, will test their mettle against a formidable lineup of global powerhouses.
Sundowns’ impressive domestic reign has been complemented by strong continental performances, although they narrowly missed out on the 2025 CAF Champions League title, falling to Egyptian side Pyramids in the final. Now, they prepare to face an even higher caliber of opposition in the expanded Club World Cup.
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The draw has placed the Pretoria giants in a challenging group alongside German Bundesliga heavyweights Borussia Dortmund, Brazilian Serie A champions Fluminense, and South Korean K League formidable Ulsan HD FC.
Cardoso’s charges are set to kick off their Club World Cup campaign against Ulsan HD FC at the Inter & Co Stadium on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated tournament, Cardoso shared his excitement and perspective with Goal.com: “After my experience as an assistant coach in UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches, being involved in the Club World Cup is a big achievement.”
This isn’t Cardoso’s first foray into the Club World Cup, as he previously participated in the competition with Tunisian club Esperance. Reflecting on the significance of the event, the Portuguese tactician added, “For me, it’s a very particular position – a clear highlight in any coach’s career.”
Cardoso articulated the dual objective for his team: “We know we’re one of the biggest teams in Africa, but this is a test to see where we stand on the global stage. The mindset here is strong – focused on performance, achieving goals, and winning trophies. We want to understand our level compared to the world’s best.”
He also stressed the importance of mental fortitude and enjoyment for his players on such a grand stage. “The worst thing would be to finish a game feeling we didn’t play to our level because we carried unnecessary weight on the pitch. Our players should enjoy the experience and express the joy of African football – on and off the pitch.”
The Club World Cup promises to be a significant benchmark for Mamelodi Sundowns as they seek to validate their continental dominance against some of the elite clubs from around the world.