Why FIFA didn't invite Orlando Pirates to the Club World Cup
The mighty Orlando Pirates, one of the continent's most famous clubs, have been watching the FIFA Club World Cup on television, unlike their Betway Premiership rivals Mamelodi Sundowns.
While the FIFA Club World Cup launched an expanded format with 32 clubs, Orlando Pirates could not meet the qualification criteria by either winning the CAF Champions League or via the CAF four‑year African clubs ranking.
Sundowns, Al Ahly (Egypt), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco) and Esperance (Tunisia) took the four spots allocated for African clubs.
FIFA to pay R228 million to Sundowns Orlando Pirates team at the Orlando Stadium. Image: @safootclassics/X
More questions on new Orlando Pirates coach
To make it to the USA, Orlando Pirates needed to have won one of the CAF Champions League (CAFCL) titles between 2021 and 2024. The titles went to Egyptian giants Al Ahly (2021, 2023 and 2024), while Morocco's Wydad Casablanca won the 2022 title.
Ahly's three titles in three years meant CAF had to fill the two remaining spots with the secondary criterion: Points-based club rankings. The list was topped by clubs who had consistently made the semi-finals of the CAFCL over the four-year cycle. Thus, Tunisia's Esperance and Sundowns took the remaining two spots.
New Orlando Pirates star tipped for Europe
The Buccaneers' pathway to make it to the world stage is pretty straight forward. Orlando Pirates need to win one of the CAFCL championships between 2025 and 2028, or least make every semifinals stage during the same four-year cycle.
The potential has already been displayed. The 1995 African champions lost in the semifinals last season to the eventual champions Pyramids FC.
Additionally, the Soweto giants have qualified for next season's CAFCL.
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