Unfortunately, at least five big-name stars will miss the upcoming 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, despite their teams being set to compete at the tournament.
Thirty-two teams from around the globe will vie for a historic Club World Cup crown from 14 June to 14 July 2025.
This expanded edition is the first of its kind, with the number of participants more than tripled, allowing more confederations to send a greater number of clubs to compete.
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The four CAF representatives—Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Ahly, Espérance de Tunis, and Wydad Athletic Club—have all been drawn into groups where they’ll face some of the world’s elite stars.
However, several top-class players will not feature at the tournament in the United States:
Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City)
Wydad's Group G opponents, Manchester City, have confirmed that playmaker Mateo Kovacic has been ruled out of the tournament after undergoing surgery.
"Mateo will spend the summer rehabilitating from the operation and everyone at the Club wishes him a speedy recovery," the club stated on their official website.
Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund)
Sundowns' Group F rivals, Borussia Dortmund, will be without first-choice centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck, who sustained a knee injury in April, ruling him out for six months.
Alphonso Davies and Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich)
Although Bayern Munich won’t face a CAF side in the group stage, they will be without Alphonso Davies, who tore his ACL in March.
South Korean defender Kim Min-jae is also expected to miss out, with a setback in his rehabilitation pushing his return beyond the tournament.
Wesley Fofana (Chelsea)
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca recently revealed that defender Wesley Fofana won’t be considered for the Club World Cup as he continues to recover from surgery, with a return unlikely before 1 July.
As a result, Esperance and South African star Elias Mokwana is unlikely to face the French defender during the tournament.
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By Lukhanyo Mtuta
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