Wydad AC

ESPN's experts react to the 2025 Club World Cup draw with a closer look at the teams, their chances of lifting the title and which players to keep an eye on.

With nine months to go until the FIFA Club World Cup kicks off in the U.S., the 32 competing teams still have no idea where they will be playing.

Egyptian giants Al Ahly scored a late equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw in the second leg of the African Champions League final on Sunday and claim the title as they edged holders Wydad Casablanca of Morocco 3-2 on aggregate.

Asian champions Al Hilal triumped in a penalty shootout against Wydad Casablanca in their Club World Cup clash on Saturday.

Wydad had hoped to overturn the CAF ruling that handed the trophy to Esperance after players from the Moroccan club abandoned the game.

For the first time since the CAF Champions League expanded to include quarterfinals, all eight teams to reach the knockouts are former winners.

North African clubs are traditionally the megastars of the CAF Champions League, but South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns pose problems every year. Why?

South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns and Morocco's Wydad Casablanca will face each other in the CAF Champions League for the fourth successive season.

Esperance were declared African Champions League winners after a committee found Wydad guilty of abandoning the second leg of the final in May.

A malfunctioning VAR system led to Wydad Casablanca walking off the CAF Champions league final pitch, which could have long term repercussions.